1
as in lurched
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in faltered
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 stunned
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 surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rocked
Haitian immigrants became eligible after an earthquake rocked the country in 2010.
—
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The explosion was part of a wave of attacks in recent days which have rocked Cauca and fueled security concerns ahead of presidential elections next month.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Saturday’s shooting rocked attendees of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an annual event attended by the Washington press corps, presidential administration staffers and celebrities.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Ducks fans expected the postseason and embraced it with a passion that rocked Honda Center during 12 playoff trips in a 15-season span, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and the 2007 championship.
—Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Nothing screams '80s like a pair of aviator sunglasses, which the Jackson all rocked as they — accompanied by Emmanuel Lewis — announced their Victory Tour while in New York in 1983.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The 1960s rocked the world and continued to haunt and inspire us as failure and ideal, more or less forever.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the shootings rocked the community roughly 200 miles east of Dallas.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The explosion was part of a wave of attacks in recent days which have rocked Cauca and fueled security concerns ahead of presidential elections next month.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Saturday’s shooting rocked attendees of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an annual event attended by the Washington press corps, presidential administration staffers and celebrities.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Ducks fans expected the postseason and embraced it with a passion that rocked Honda Center during 12 playoff trips in a 15-season span, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and the 2007 championship.
—Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Nothing screams '80s like a pair of aviator sunglasses, which the Jackson all rocked as they — accompanied by Emmanuel Lewis — announced their Victory Tour while in New York in 1983.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The 1960s rocked the world and continued to haunt and inspire us as failure and ideal, more or less forever.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the shootings rocked the community roughly 200 miles east of Dallas.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
France lurched from republic to dictatorship to empire before cycling back through absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, Second Republic, and Second Empire.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
An indictment filed in federal court in Sacramento on Thursday charges Mendoza Hernandez with one count of assault with a deadly weapon for each time his car lurched forward, incidents the government said were about seven seconds apart.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Where the show faltered last night, however, was in assuming a one-size-fits-all approach to its pop-star-hosting formula.—
Charu Sinha,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
-
The merger, announced about a year ago, faltered for several reasons.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For 25 years now, whenever ailing sea turtles are stranded and rescued from regional waters (caught in netting, injured by a boat prop or shark attack, accidentally hooked by a fisherman, or stunned by a cold front), they are brought here for care, recuperation, and a second chance at life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
Multiple sources told OutKick that UAB administrators were stunned to hear just how troubling some of these allegations were that have been brought forth by players and parents.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Nathan Lane, celebrated for Tony-winning comedic roles in ‘The Producers’ and other musicals, tackles Willy Loman in a casting choice that surprised some when the revival was announced.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
But Scott said he had been surprised by their resilience, with the majority in his tight community of around 90 blockchain and crypto entrepreneurs opting to stay despite the conflict.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The 28-year-old Nakatani, a southpaw, used his longer reach to keep Inoue’s punches at bay, while Inoue simply swayed his body or got out of the way.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
One key problem with California’s direct democracy is that voters are easily swayed by broad promises, but then lose interest in real-world outcomes.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Their struggles are why Buster Posey shook things up by calling up Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
-
Eventually, the Thunder shook off the rust from an eight-day break and went up 31-26 at the end of the first quarter, despite 12 points from James.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Still dazed from the emotional hangover, the Lakers lost their next two games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Despite seeming dazed at first, Wembanyama was able to stand and ran into the tunnel to get further evaluation in the locker room.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
What really amazed the animal lover was Bow's loyalty to Shy, even though the dogs had only known each other for a day.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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