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
At the other end of the spectrum, Nicholas Hoult subtly flexed a rose-gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso with an elegant Milanese bracelet courtside at a Lakers game and John Mulaney rocked the rare Gérald Genta Geneva Minute Repeater on the streets of New York.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
In the most lopsided home opener loss in Colorado history, Lorenzen — who pitched for the Phillies in the second half of 2023 following a deadline trade from Detroit — got rocked.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Before Hillbilly Elegy rocked the zeitgeist, hooks published a poetry collection called—wait for it—Appalachian Elegy.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Give yourself a space to dive into a good book or even be rocked to sleep in the peace of your own backyard.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2019, Kate rocked what may have been the ultimate Easter repeat.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The attack rocked the neighborhood as friends and family mourn the death of the sisters.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Call for tighter restrictions Fernandes’ claims have shocked Germany, in a similar way that Gisèle Pelicot’s trial rocked France, said The New York Times.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
But the war with Iran has rocked markets, sending the Dow and Nasdaq into correction territory.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
In the most lopsided home opener loss in Colorado history, Lorenzen — who pitched for the Phillies in the second half of 2023 following a deadline trade from Detroit — got rocked.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Before Hillbilly Elegy rocked the zeitgeist, hooks published a poetry collection called—wait for it—Appalachian Elegy.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Give yourself a space to dive into a good book or even be rocked to sleep in the peace of your own backyard.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2019, Kate rocked what may have been the ultimate Easter repeat.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The attack rocked the neighborhood as friends and family mourn the death of the sisters.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Call for tighter restrictions Fernandes’ claims have shocked Germany, in a similar way that Gisèle Pelicot’s trial rocked France, said The New York Times.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
But the war with Iran has rocked markets, sending the Dow and Nasdaq into correction territory.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Don’t gag, don’t cry — and my stomach lurched.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
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Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the peace effort ultimately faltered after Iran could not commit to giving up its nuclear ambitions, the president said.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
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The match was an Olympics of desperation as the Ducks broke their six-game freefall and San Jose faltered in a must-win position.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neighbors there were stunned when police swooped in to make their arrest at the house where, neighbors said, Heuermann grew up with his parents and brother.—
April 8,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The results from him and 38 other patients have since stunned some of the field’s top experts.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Adenot asked the Artemis 2 astronauts what has surprised them during their mission so far.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
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In December, the USPS introduced a new auction process enabling retailers and logistics carriers to bid on access to its last-mile delivery network in a move that surprised Amazon, and likely threw a wrench in the contract negotiations between both parties.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Joy isn’t swayed by his appeal.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
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Steinbrenner made clear that the Yankees would stay in New York and not be swayed with a shiny new stadium in the Meadowlands where the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets would go on to play.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The vicious murder that followed shook Kansas City to its core and to this day, no one knows for certain who snuck into Leila Welsh’s bedroom and brutally murdered her that morning.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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Magnus shook his head, his damp hair flopping against the back of his neck.—
Ben Mezrich,
Vanity Fair,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eleven, the show’s telekinetic heroine, who grew up in a lab, became dazed by the number of clothing options at the Gap.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
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Firefighters were trying to put out flames, others were trying to find victims inside, Sanford's truck was still there and church members who'd just survived the horror were on the lawn, dazed.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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