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
Relevance
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
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 rocked
That's what happened through the huge swings that rocked Wall Street last week.
—
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Perhaps most famously, Gosling rocked three vintage gold Carreras at once while playing Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
In January, countrywide protests rocked the government, which deployed deadly force and killed thousands if not tens of thousands of protesters.
—Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Markets have been rocked as the conflict in the Middle East showed no signs of easing, pushing oil past $100 a barrel and stoking concerns about an inflation crisis.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
The swimsuit model and Love Thy Nader star, who rocked the classic Baywatch one-piece on the cover of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, has been cast in Fox’s Baywatch reboot.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Mar. 2026
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, soared 8% and hit its highest level since April, when markets were rocked by uncertainty about tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Stepping out for the Chanel ready-to-wear show on Monday, March 9, the actress rocked a side-part lob, a full fringe, and the much beloved outfit combination of jeans and a (sheer) tank top.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
When the scam fell apart amid regulatory and legal scrutiny late last decade, the resulting scandal rocked the nascent green energy sector, coming several years after another California firm, Solyndra, collapsed after receiving a half-billion-dollar loan guarantee from the federal government.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Perhaps most famously, Gosling rocked three vintage gold Carreras at once while playing Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
In January, countrywide protests rocked the government, which deployed deadly force and killed thousands if not tens of thousands of protesters.
—Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Markets have been rocked as the conflict in the Middle East showed no signs of easing, pushing oil past $100 a barrel and stoking concerns about an inflation crisis.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
The swimsuit model and Love Thy Nader star, who rocked the classic Baywatch one-piece on the cover of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, has been cast in Fox’s Baywatch reboot.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Mar. 2026
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, soared 8% and hit its highest level since April, when markets were rocked by uncertainty about tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Stepping out for the Chanel ready-to-wear show on Monday, March 9, the actress rocked a side-part lob, a full fringe, and the much beloved outfit combination of jeans and a (sheer) tank top.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
When the scam fell apart amid regulatory and legal scrutiny late last decade, the resulting scandal rocked the nascent green energy sector, coming several years after another California firm, Solyndra, collapsed after receiving a half-billion-dollar loan guarantee from the federal government.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But UConn faltered in the second half, surrendering a 20-4 run and at one point going nearly eight minutes between field goals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Aussie actor has had quite the year, with acclaimed performances in films such as Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights—and amidst the many press tours and busy award season events, his personal style has never faltered.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And how about the 2006 final when Palo Alto stunned Mater Dei 51-47 in Division II in which Jeremy Lin made a 25-foot bank shot from the top of the key.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Over the weekend, Wall abruptly pulled the plug on his Sunday night performance in Evansville, Indiana, just minutes before he was scheduled to take the stage, leaving concertgoers stunned and worried about the singer’s well-being.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hyatt said the project’s size surprised even those involved in producing it.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
However, in late fall, Oracle surprised the market by raising a significant amount of debt, fueling investor fears that its AI build-out would be costly and put pressure on its balance sheet.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That argument has not swayed Banas.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Freeder said the people who are somewhat supportive could be swayed.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No serious injuries were reported, but the extent of the fire shook residents of the north, who have repeatedly been told by their leaders that Hezbollah was dealt a devastating blow in 2024 during its last war with Israel.—
Natalie Melzer,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
With the blessing of Byers and basketball committee chairman Gavitt, the three parties — NCAA, CBS, and the Hyatt — shook hands.—
Bill Hancock,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
What amazed me the most was the remains of what appeared to be a tall conifer — possibly a cypress or cedar — on Edgar Street in Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire ravaged an entire street.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
