Synonyms of rock

rock 1 of 3

noun

slang

as in gem

a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament

a trophy wife with enough rocks to open her own jewelry store

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gem
• jewel
• jewelry
• gemstone
• brilliant
• bauble
• zircon
• scarab
• trinket
• cabochon
• baguette
• rhinestone
• cameo
• solitaire
• crown jewels
• bijou
• paste
• teardrop
• birthstone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough

rock

2 of 3

verb

ˈräk 

1

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sway
• lurch
• shake
• roll
• jerk
• toss
• halt
• vibrate
• wobble
• tumble
• careen
• pitch
• seesaw
• weave
• falter
• reel
• stumble
• flounder
• toddle
• totter
• stagger
• vacillate
• waddle
• hobble
• waver
• buck
• blunder
• jolt
• hitch
• undulate
• oscillate
• teeter
• wag
• dodder
• waggle

2

as in to shake

to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side

the drunk rocked on his heels for a moment and then fell flat on his back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• falter
• wobble
• tremble
• shudder
• totter
• vibrate
• lurch
• waver
• quiver
• quake
• stumble
• flounder
• teeter
• toddle
• reel
• weave
• stagger
• quaver
• careen

3

as in to stun

to make senseless or dizzy by a blow

she rocked the mugger with a single punch and then ran

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stun
• daze
• paralyze
• hit
• punch
• strike
• slam
• knock silly
• smack
• knock out
• slap
• rap
• pound
• knock for a loop
• bop
• bang
• belt
• sock
• hammer
• whack
• thump
• slug
• numb
• chop
• clock
• deaden
• beat
• bash
• bludgeon
• stupefy
• pummel
• knock down
• whale
• thwack
• benumb
• clobber
• batter
• smite
• clout
• buffet
• pelt
• cuff
• bonk
• maul
• paste
• swat
• bowl over
• mangle
• wallop
• bung
• drub

4

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• stun
• shock
• amaze
• startle
• astonish
• thunderstrike
• take aback
• floor
• take by surprise
• bowl over
• dumbfound
• stupefy
• astound
• flabbergast
• blow away
• shake up
• jar
• daze
• blindside
• muddle
• bewilder
• disconcert
• confuse
• perplex
• befuddle
• nonplus
• knock for a loop
• dismay
• confound
• discomfit

rock

3 of 3

adjective

as in rocklike

Related Words

• rocklike
• adamantine
• compacted
• compressed
• substantial
• condensed
• sound
• indurated
• hardened
• resistant
• sturdy
• tempered
• stiffened
• tough
• solid
• strong
• unyielding
• rigid
• crush-proof
• inelastic
• unbending
• case-hardened
• inflexible
• stiff
• tense
• firm
• hard

Dissimilar Words

• soft
• spongy
• mushy
• flabby
• squishy
• pulpy
• fleshy
• squashy
• doughy
• squooshy
• floppy
• slack
• limp
• flaccid
• yielding
• lank
• droopy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rock different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rock are agitate, convulse, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When could agitate be used to replace rock?

The synonyms agitate and rock are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

Where would convulse be a reasonable alternative to rock?

In some situations, the words convulse and rock are roughly equivalent. However, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When is it sensible to use shake instead of rock?

The meanings of shake and rock largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rock

Noun

On land, the researchers remotely guided it through a sandbox containing rocks and used light sensors to demonstrate autonomous steering toward a light source. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Paul Natkin / Getty Images In the 1970s, the Uptown got a new lease on life as a rock concert venue, with JAM Productions handling booking and production. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Josh O’Connor has stepped out in a perfectly boxy and slouchy gray pinstriped suit, while Benito Skinner has embraced the timeless three-piece suit—only to ditch the blazer, throw it over his shoulders, and rock the vest. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026

Shortly before this war began, Iran was again rocked by mass protests. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Friday afternoon, prior to the rain, Canadian indie rockers Mother Mother offered up a one hour set on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage at Grant Park’s Petrillo Music Shell, part of a quasi-rock resurgence shaping the 2026 Lollapalooza lineup. — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

The group’s final two albums — Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock — helped lay the groundwork for what would later be dubbed post-rock, inspiring generations of artists with their spacious, improvisational approach to composition. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 20 July 2026

Phrases Containing rock

• rock bottom