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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rocked
The shooting rocked the community and drew national attention to the question of how such a young child could commit such an act of violence.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts rocked the NFL world on Tuesday when the teams worked out a massive trade deal just hours before the NFL's trade deadline.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Robert Irwin, Alix Earle and Whitney Leavitt rocked, so too did Chicago, while one unfortunate couple rolled out of the competition as Dancing With The Stars celebrated Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
For the 2024 Met Gala, Bailey rocked a custom Loewe suit, featuring hard-to-miss floral embellishments.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Hard landing Shein’s touchdown in Paris was almost scuppered by a scandal that rocked France over the weekend.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
News of the closure rocked Davis General Store, where Wolfie’s set up shop weekly to sell its barbecue.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 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
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts rocked the NFL world on Tuesday when the teams worked out a massive trade deal just hours before the NFL's trade deadline.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Robert Irwin, Alix Earle and Whitney Leavitt rocked, so too did Chicago, while one unfortunate couple rolled out of the competition as Dancing With The Stars celebrated Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
For the 2024 Met Gala, Bailey rocked a custom Loewe suit, featuring hard-to-miss floral embellishments.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Hard landing Shein’s touchdown in Paris was almost scuppered by a scandal that rocked France over the weekend.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
News of the closure rocked Davis General Store, where Wolfie’s set up shop weekly to sell its barbecue.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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When he was sacked amid boardroom disputes in September, owner Evangelos Marinakis lurched in another direction.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
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Pressed to find out exactly where the show faltered, Mangan opined that perhaps the sheer amount of talent behind the camera stopped anyone from steering this Hindenburg on course.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Ultimately, Drake’s suit faltered.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, her exit early into the show’s final season left fans stunned and wondering why.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
With Jones looking born again, the Colts have stunned the football world by getting out to a 7-2 record, which puts them in first place in the AFC South and is the second-best record in the conference behind only the Denver Broncos.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That was the case even if the extent of their subsequent slump — four consecutive Premier League defeats, six losses out of seven in all competitions — surprised everybody.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Goodwin, surprised, thanked her effusively.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Everyone danced and swayed, lazy smiles on their faces.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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After getting out of the car, Rias almost fell two times, failed to walk in a straight line and swayed with each step, the complaint said.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And Tagovailoa shook off that early interception with a 9-yard scoring pass to Malik Washington — capping a ferocious seven-minute, 92-yard drive — and then a 38-yard TD strike to Jaylen Waddle.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Miller finished with 129 yards on 18 carries, while Jayden Maiava shook off a poor day throwing the ball with 62 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Grace appears dazed when others pick up on her ache, and takes a perverse pleasure in Jackson’s struggle to deal with her deteriorating mental health.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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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
Verb
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In 1905, German zoologist Gustav Tornier described a live-bearing toad from Tanzania that amazed scientists of his time.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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