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 amazed
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 least two people died and dozens were arrested in Morocco, the latest site of Gen Z protests that have rocked countries worldwide.
—
semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Google has been racing to find ways to integrate generative AI into its search engine since OpenAI rocked the tech sector with the launch of its chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
If no deal is reached, then the White House has instructed federal agencies—already rocked by Elon Musk’s DOGE layoffs since January—to make way for even larger cuts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
Emma Stone rocked her chic short cut for an appearance at Louis Vuitton's PFW show.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, a fatal shooting that killed three and injured two rocked Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
The Brewers rocked Antonio Senzatela early, then Seth Halvorsen late, and Colorado made four errors, including errors by Gold Glovers Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle in the same game for the first time.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Brandel Chamblee, a familiar voice on Golf Channel, rocked the sport on Monday with his sharp critique of Bryson DeChambeau.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Nearly a year after allegations of bullying at the workplace of her namesake brand rocked the internet, the Swedish influencer is going back to her roots—and her fans seem to be behind her.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2025
semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Google has been racing to find ways to integrate generative AI into its search engine since OpenAI rocked the tech sector with the launch of its chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
If no deal is reached, then the White House has instructed federal agencies—already rocked by Elon Musk’s DOGE layoffs since January—to make way for even larger cuts.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
Emma Stone rocked her chic short cut for an appearance at Louis Vuitton's PFW show.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2017, a fatal shooting that killed three and injured two rocked Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
The Brewers rocked Antonio Senzatela early, then Seth Halvorsen late, and Colorado made four errors, including errors by Gold Glovers Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle in the same game for the first time.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025
Brandel Chamblee, a familiar voice on Golf Channel, rocked the sport on Monday with his sharp critique of Bryson DeChambeau.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Nearly a year after allegations of bullying at the workplace of her namesake brand rocked the internet, the Swedish influencer is going back to her roots—and her fans seem to be behind her.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hurts had a hot start and then faltered in the second half.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Although both players were made to save break points early on in the deciding set, Nosková faltered first as Anisimova took a 4-2 lead, cutting down on the unforced errors that were her downfall in the second.—
Frank Nunns O'Connell,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a subsequent phone call with a detective in South Carolina, Jackson was stunned to hear of one particular similarity between his case and theirs.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The Mercury came out with superior energy to topple the defending champs, then stunned the top seed with a desperation heave from Sami Whitcomb.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the second video, Cabello can be seen singing as Murray and her dad swayed together on the dance floor.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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Because, in fact, I am usually immediately swayed by whatever intellectual fashion is in the air, and a first draft of any essay is more often than not a cynical and dutiful rehashing of the argument du jour.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By Brendan Kuty, Jen McCaffrey and Chris Kirschner NEW YORK — The crowd roared, and then the building shook.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Clark shook her head and said no to both questions.—
Jill Martin,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The young men in Bruins blue and gold staggering off the field afterwards dazed, confused.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For their 15th anniversary, the Saved by the Bell star surprised her husband with an at-home recreation of their wedding.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Changing the Rankings Many readers may be surprised not to see Turkey’s 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which holds the record for the longest suspension span.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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