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
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
Other artifacts like moon rocks and belongings of Armstrong and Michael Collins were also on display. Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 The chairs inside the diner rock slightly, inviting the customer to ease in and relax. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025 Evan Thompson, Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, told the local Jamaica Observer that Melissa could be worse than previous storms that rocked the island, including Hurricane Gilbert and Hurricane Beryl, which devastated Jamaica in 1988 and 2024 respectively. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
  • The psych-pop gem, originally released as Tame Impala’s debut single in 2009, hadn’t appeared on a tour setlist since 2018.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Carved into 50,000 carats of jewels, the aquamarine became a global ambassador for Brazilian craftsmanship, cementing both the country’s reputation for fine gems and Sauer’s name in the industry.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Both campaigns are intensifying efforts to sway undecided voters and mobilize their bases.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Narrative warfare sways public sentiment long before a bullet is fired.
    Big Think, Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Whether it’s shaken, stirred, dirty, or dry, the martini remains one of the world’s most iconic and timeless drinks.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!
    Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But Miles stunned the country by entering the transfer portal and eventually landing at TCU, a few weeks after the Horned Frogs eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Joined by real-life magician Noah Levine, the star stunned fans with card tricks and a special surprise.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Boozman was not surprised by the lawsuit.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In a video recently posted on the Hobbiton Movie Set TikTok account, the happy couple is seen being surprised by the 44-year-old star, who was dressed casually in a windbreaker and a pair of jeans.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The actor, who portrayed dapper casino thief Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven and its sequels, reflected on the audacious burglary in which a group of thieves stole more than $100 million worth of historic jewels from Paris' foremost museum on Sunday.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Back then, Newcastle’s thin squad staggered between results, lurching from challenging the best sides in the league to befuddling losses to inferior squads.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • But as the shutdown lurches through its fifth week, and legislators direct blame at each other, food pantries across the Kansas City area are left to grapple with the fallout.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After Ohtani faltered, the game was the Blue Jays’ to lose, but the Dodgers kept pecking away.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • And when New York falters, the ripple effects are often national.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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