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
Please stay on the trail, though, and remember that the rocks around waterfalls are always slick. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025 The space rock is estimated to be around 49 to 111 feet in diameter, according to the JPL's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
The relative lull in trading offered a respite from the sharp, historic swings that have rocked markets for weeks, as hopes rose and fell that President Trump may back down on his trade war. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025 Fans will add their own flair, rocking rhinestones, embroidery, fringe details, and eye-catching bandana prints to keep the looks fresh and electrifying. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
  • After his Game 5 gem, Yamamoto was solid again in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series (4⅓ innings, two runs, eight strikeouts) and terrific in Game 2 of the World Series (6⅓ innings, one run, four strikeouts), serving as the backbone of a shorthanded, championship-winning pitching staff.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Its national parks often steal the spotlight, but the Golden State's state parks are hidden gems that offer sights, experiences, and landscapes that rival their national counterparts.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The danger here is that with a potentially unlimited amount of money to be handed out with no public input, the political figures on the corporate board could be swayed to play favorites for reasons disconnected from infrastructure improvement.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • My son swayed gently between my legs, still wearing last night’s jammies, azure eyes trained on the flutist’s quivering embouchure.
    Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, Turkey experienced one of the world's most deadly quakes, a 7.8 magnitude event that shook southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 55,000 people.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In February 2013, Benedict stunned the Catholic world by becoming the first pope in six centuries to retire.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The truth is no one should be surprised by the swift start.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Don’t be surprised when the Avs win Game 6, 17-2. If the Stars had their complete lineup, this would not be a close series.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Big Sur The crown jewel of any PCH trip, Big Sur stuns with its dramatic cliffs, redwoods, and turquoise waters.
    Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Ah well, still the best Star Wars movie of the Disney-era, even if Andor remains the crown jewel.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • My stomach dropped as my seat lurched backwards, pointing me towards the shoreline.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As the war lurched into its fourth year, Russian losses of tanks, fighting vehicles and other heavy equipment had exceeded 20,000, according to the analysts at the Oryx intelligence collective, which confirms each loss with imagery from the front line.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Musk’s comments about his time allotment come just hours after a group of eight Democratic state treasurers wrote to the chair of Tesla’s board about the company’s faltering performance.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Business Drama: Volatility, Strategy, and Turnaround What followed was a decade of operational rework—sometimes faltering, sometimes brilliant.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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