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 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
They had all been rocked by the same news of Anderson’s sudden death.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
However, the storm was not kind to homes, trees, power lines and other structures that were rocked by damaging winds.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Cameron was rocked for a career-high seven runs — five earned — and seven hits in four innings.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Despite the difficulties, Turkey has now been rocked by two mass shootings in two days.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Choose from a variety of massage styles and sink into the experience while being gently rocked and lulled by the sounds of the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Your world is about to be rocked by these popular chocolates!
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
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
They had all been rocked by the same news of Anderson’s sudden death.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
However, the storm was not kind to homes, trees, power lines and other structures that were rocked by damaging winds.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Cameron was rocked for a career-high seven runs — five earned — and seven hits in four innings.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Despite the difficulties, Turkey has now been rocked by two mass shootings in two days.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Choose from a variety of massage styles and sink into the experience while being gently rocked and lulled by the sounds of the sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Your world is about to be rocked by these popular chocolates!
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehan responded by turning in his best performance of the season, but the bullpen faltered in the Dodgers’ 6-4 loss to the red-hot Cubs, who won their 10th in a row.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And the pitching and defense had faltered in key situations.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That result has stunned pancreatic cancer specialists.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One last thing Remember the wolf that stunned everyone by visiting Los Angeles County?—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This surprised no one, except, apparently, the Saudis.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Smith probably won’t be the only listener surprised by the album, which combines some downtown rock with gentle, playful story-songs that swerve toward an almost Buddy Holly-ish melodic sweetness.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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They were swayed by a local program launched by city-LAB UCLA, a center founded by the University of California, Los Angeles' Architecture and Urban Design Department, which included a showcase of six prefab housing options and a guide to help navigate the process and secure financing.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
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The criticism, from Shirley, his supporters, and California Republicans, has not swayed Democratic state lawmakers.—
Andrew Graham
April 26,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his press conference on Monday, Rosenior pointed out that one video of Fernandez appearing to walk past him after being substituted against Manchester United was cut before the player turned around and hugged him and shook his hand.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after the lethal injection got underway, a warden shook Willacy and shouted his name, but there was no response.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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
Verb
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at this high school principal's incredible bravery.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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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 28 Apr. 2026.
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