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
The strike rocked the Ecuadorians, whose stingy defense had been their hallmark throughout qualifying for this World Cup, and La Tri gathered together for a pep talk as Azteca boomed around them.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
This piece can be read in the context of an event that rocked Koreans, and the world, in 2016.
—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
30 June 2026
Foreign rescue teams — including three from the United States — were racing against time in the aftermath of twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela's northern coast as the death toll from the disaster increased, officials said.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Hopes were fading Monday that survivors might still be found from the powerful twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela, even as more international teams arrived to boost desperate search efforts.
—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
As New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and fellow democratic socialists celebrated a trio of insurgent leftist victories that rocked last week’s House primaries in New York, so did congressional Republicans.
—
Alexei Koseff,
Washington Post,
29 June 2026
On her hands, Lohan also rocked a delicate, milky manicure by celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Consider how the world of Michael Herbert’s family has been rocked to the core by the charges against the 55-year-old.
—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Argentine soccer star Lucas Trejo's wife and their children died in a pair of earthquakes that rocked Venezuela on June 24.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 June 2026
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
30 June 2026
This piece can be read in the context of an event that rocked Koreans, and the world, in 2016.
—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
30 June 2026
Foreign rescue teams — including three from the United States — were racing against time in the aftermath of twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela's northern coast as the death toll from the disaster increased, officials said.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Hopes were fading Monday that survivors might still be found from the powerful twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela, even as more international teams arrived to boost desperate search efforts.
—
Abigail Williams,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
As New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and fellow democratic socialists celebrated a trio of insurgent leftist victories that rocked last week’s House primaries in New York, so did congressional Republicans.
—
Alexei Koseff,
Washington Post,
29 June 2026
On her hands, Lohan also rocked a delicate, milky manicure by celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
Consider how the world of Michael Herbert’s family has been rocked to the core by the charges against the 55-year-old.
—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
Argentine soccer star Lucas Trejo's wife and their children died in a pair of earthquakes that rocked Venezuela on June 24.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Initial data indicates both of these earthquakes were strike-slip, Magnani said, meaning one plate lurched past the other along the boundary.
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Rodney McDonald, who was traveling with his wife and two sons, told ABC News the ordeal began when the aircraft unexpectedly lurched.
Verb
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Brazobán faltered, however, allowing a walk and two hits, the last of which being a two-out RBI single by Trae Turner that put the Phillies up, 2-1.
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Meanwhile, the Valkyries’ offense faltered.
Verb
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News of Custer's defeat stunned Americans, who were celebrating their country's centennial.
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Then, as Mexico eliminated Czechia 3-0 in Mexico City, South Africa stunned South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey, with Bafana Bafana claiming second place in the group, which was promptly followed by some lovely post-match celebrations.
Verb
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But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town.
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The news surprised local law enforcement at the time, who said the information did not come from them.
Verb
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The court said jurors received instructions from the trial judge that could have improperly swayed them toward convicting him.
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Some gold ETFs directly invest in bullion kept in vaults, while others invest in shares of mining companies that tend to follow the price of gold while also being swayed by the companies' management decisions, efficiency and financials.
Verb
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The quake, which struck during morning rush hour, also mildly shook Tokyo.
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One witness said they were forced to evacuate as the earthquake shook buildings, while another reported that cracks formed on the side of their building, according to the outlet.
Verb
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Fatu was dazed and Reigns speared him through the table.
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When the Knicks won, Berns was dazed.
Verb
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When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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