rock 1 of 3

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rock

2 of 3

verb

1
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
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rock

3 of 3

adjective

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rock
Noun
Flynn, who’s based in Flagstaff, Ariz., photographed one couple embraced in a Spider-Man-style kiss while climbing on sheer rock face in Moab and another under the moonlight at Yosemite’s Glacier Point after a middle-of-the-night hike in total isolation. Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 During the early years, the Pines might have been best known as the home to the Hollywood Sportatorium, where people stuck in a long line of cars snaked along a two-lane road to see rock concerts. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Verb
Page Six notes that baby Wave has been rocking the braid pattern since at least April, while Diggs was first photographed with it this week while working out at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. alongside his New England Patriots teammates. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 5 June 2025 But as team owner of Team Penske, he was forced to dismiss three key members of management after the team was rocked by a second scandal in as many years. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
  • Globally recognized as one of the most important global spirits competitions, the IWSC has been uncovering gems for over 50 years.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Here are The Athletic’s pick of Wirtz alternatives, from his fellow high-fee buys to hidden gems.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Should you be swayed by the AI luminaries or more so by the AI experts and their scientific consensus?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Tuesday, June 3 Tuesday brings a greater mix of significant earnings reports and economic data releases that could sway market sentiment.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Carnal, with care – Jis shook the bedrock of the cordial, conservative Guadalajara community with filth, camp and candor.
    Holly Jones, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Getty Images The European startup scene was recently shaken by a LinkedIn debate with some venture capitalists applying pressure on founders to embrace a culture of overwork to compete on a global stage.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • When Anderson heard that his friend was assaulted, the musician was stunned.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025
  • Seth Jones scored a goal and an assist, and Dmitry Kulikov and Brad Marchand scored 3:46 apart in the second period to stun the rabid crowd.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • But none of them have surprised me with their brilliance.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Today's teen slang might seem like complete gibberish, but you may be surprised by how many terms echo phrases from the past.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The voluminous gown featured shades of brown with jewel embellishments cascading down the bodice and skirt.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
  • There’s still a long, difficult road ahead before the jewel of the coast could separate from the city of San Diego and incorporate as its own municipality.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Growing panicky, the animal lurched wildly, lost its footing altogether, and fell back toward me and my horse.
    Jim Carmichel, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025
  • Thereafter, plans for the cemetery lurched back to the Great Park but never successfully held on to momentum.
    Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Ocean protection efforts are faltering, with policy talk far outpacing tangible results.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Doctoring provides powerful tools for getting under the hood, but writing offers ones that dig into the interstitial spaces where our more utilitarian tools falter.
    Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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