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
Relevance
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
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
Headquarters is a great little rock-and-roll album.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Re-sign Tyler Linderbaum, put Ioane next to him, and Baltimore’s offensive line would be rocking again.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
Tortoise, Touch Touch, the first full-length by venerable Chicago post-rock outfit Tortoise since 2016’s The Catastrophist, catches the quintet pushing past the most bucolic stretches of the previous release.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Noun
There’s an urgency to the pacing of the pop-rock track that makes the stakes feel higher here.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
Headquarters is a great little rock-and-roll album.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Sutton donned a navy blue bikini with a matching swim skirt, while Jackman rocked black-and-white swim trunks with a tropical floral design.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Re-sign Tyler Linderbaum, put Ioane next to him, and Baltimore’s offensive line would be rocking again.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The slow, majestic build of post-rock epics that hold back their climax for maximum transcendence.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
Tortoise, Touch Touch, the first full-length by venerable Chicago post-rock outfit Tortoise since 2016’s The Catastrophist, catches the quintet pushing past the most bucolic stretches of the previous release.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
-
One of my favorite movies of all time is California Suite, a gem of a Neil Simon film with witty dialogue, an incredible cast, and themes that are as relevant as ever.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
-
While Marlon Wayans and Timothy Simons’s wrists practically dripped with gems, George Clooney went simpler, choosing a stainless steel Seamaster Aqua Terra watch with a bright turquoise dial.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her efforts have thus far not swayed the Senate, which has chosen instead to advance two alternative tax relief bills introduced by state Sens.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Long, swaying motion was widely reported, with additional aftershocks continuing through late morning.—
Anthony Trotter,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The crime was not the only one that shook the state over the weekend.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Isabel initially thought the sounds shaking her surroundings were thunder.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So we were stunned to read about how Sean Harden, chair of the Chicago Board of Education as duly appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, reportedly had launched two internal investigations into how that board’s super-secret business got into the hands of reporters.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Others were stunned by individual line items.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But no one was surprised by the play in the Panthers’ locker room, even after Scott’s struggles in 2024.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
While each deposit may seem small, this money can snowball over time and surprise you.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her Balenciaga gown featured a peplum-like petal detail to perfectly accentuate her baby bump, while a crystal brooch and Fred Leighton jewels added sparkle to her look.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
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There’s a broad consensus among them that these Baroque-era jewels are heirlooms to be treasured and gently ushered into the modern world without ripping out their soul.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The entire tech industry lurched into motion.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that falter under heat, thermal batteries use molten salts as electrolytes, which become ionically conductive only when heated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Pass protection faltered, the run game stalled and Love couldn’t find a rhythm through the air as Green Bay welcomed Chicago back into the game and the Bears once again took advantage to end their archrival’s season in stunning fashion.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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