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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
as in rocklike
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of rock
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
Today the band continues to push creative boundaries with their broad sonic palette and through collaborations with a diverse array of Korean artists, from K-pop stars like IU and Stray Kids to the experimental post-rock group Jambinai.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Let’s recall that at last year’s ceremony, the prize for best rock performance went to The Beatles and best rock album to The Rolling Stones.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, a fatal shooting that killed three and injured two rocked Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Noun
Chicago post-rock staples Tortoise are back with their first new album in nine years.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
Today the band continues to push creative boundaries with their broad sonic palette and through collaborations with a diverse array of Korean artists, from K-pop stars like IU and Stray Kids to the experimental post-rock group Jambinai.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Or even rock, paper, scissors at the midfield logo?
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Let’s recall that at last year’s ceremony, the prize for best rock performance went to The Beatles and best rock album to The Rolling Stones.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
That city will be rocking in October.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, a fatal shooting that killed three and injured two rocked Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
-
Again, what an absolute gem Eli Drinkwitz found in the transfer portal.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Also included in the tennis necklace inventory is this now-$22 gem, a bezel bauble, and more.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Walk the pristine beaches and sway in a hammock over the still waters of the Ionian Sea.—
Gary Portuesi,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But in a market where the Canadiens rule, more work is needed to sway local interest.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After 30 minutes or so, pause the machine, remove the comforter, and shake it out before adding it back to the drum, continuing the process until the bedding is fully dry.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 3 miles, with its epicenter approximately 10 miles south of Trona.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The industry was stunned when Colorado inked former National League MVP Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract after the 2021 season.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … OUT OF NOWHERE – Driver stunned when a surprise visitor makes a sudden appearance.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But what surprised me most about these curls was the stealthiness of the burn.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Three days later, the couple's friends surprised them with a celebratory wedding dinner.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mackinac Island remains one of the jewels of the state’s tourism empire as over 1 million people visit the idyllic island each year.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Jerusalem is the jewel of our hearts and our eternal capital.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
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Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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Years later, Rick Ankiel, a Cardinals pitcher, could no longer throw strikes—yet, when he was moved to the outfield, his accuracy rarely faltered from a greater distance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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