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 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
Introduced by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, Smith rocked the Love Is Blind stage with his stomp-clap anthem alongside a full live band while the season 9 contestants made their way inside the venue listening to the catchy tune.
—
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
For the event, Eilish rocked a private school chic-look with a navy blazer and skirt, grey sweater and brown Oxford shoes with tall grey socks.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The brutal slaying rocked the town, where such crimes were basically unheard of.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
As for her hair, the 14-year-old rocked a middle part and loose curls, showcasing her bronze highlights, perfectly complementing the dress.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
As composer Brian Field watched the news spread about a school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead in Uvalde, Texas in 2022, his mind went back to another tragedy that rocked his own community a decade earlier.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Oct. 2025
The famous couple has been rocked by rumors of a family feud with their oldest son and his wife for a hot minute now.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
The statues were rocked and pivoted along Easter Island roads by multiple people at a time — making the process more efficient.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
D’Angelo’s death has rocked fans and fellow artists, but nobody is feeling the weight of this grief more than his children.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
For the event, Eilish rocked a private school chic-look with a navy blazer and skirt, grey sweater and brown Oxford shoes with tall grey socks.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The brutal slaying rocked the town, where such crimes were basically unheard of.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
As for her hair, the 14-year-old rocked a middle part and loose curls, showcasing her bronze highlights, perfectly complementing the dress.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 28 Oct. 2025
As composer Brian Field watched the news spread about a school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead in Uvalde, Texas in 2022, his mind went back to another tragedy that rocked his own community a decade earlier.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Oct. 2025
The famous couple has been rocked by rumors of a family feud with their oldest son and his wife for a hot minute now.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
The statues were rocked and pivoted along Easter Island roads by multiple people at a time — making the process more efficient.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
D’Angelo’s death has rocked fans and fellow artists, but nobody is feeling the weight of this grief more than his children.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than 70% of the investment committed in 2023 came from international public finance; however, progress in programs such as the World Bank’s landmark Mission300, established that year, has faltered.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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When her movie career as an adult faltered, Lockhart shifted to television, appearing in live drama from New York and game and talk shows.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Thieves took less than eight minutes to steal jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) — a high-profile heist that sparked a national reckoning and stunned the world.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France, when four men, dressed as workmen, broke in through an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Kim Kardashian knows how to turn heads, but the reaction to her shapewear brand Skims unveiling of thongs with fake pubic hair amazed even her.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kardashian, 45, appears not to be swayed by any of that, insisting in the latest episode of The Kardashians on Hulu that, actually, the famed first landing wasn't real.—
Adam Carlson,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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The show’s version — younger, weaker, more emotional, and much more easily swayed by Skellen, an obvious schemer — isn’t nearly as compelling.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 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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After surviving the massacre and making a recovery that surprised even her doctors, Sophia returned home in time to celebrate her upcoming 13th birthday, a family spokesperson told CNN.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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Getting Better Every Day When asked about the Blue Jays’ strategy, Shapiro’s answer surprised students expecting to hear about championships first.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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