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
Emir Caner led the small Baptist college for 17 years until he was removed last year as a former student and staff member’s story of abuse rocked its campus in the Georgia foothills.
—
Thad Moore,
AJC.com,
23 June 2026
In a scandal that rocked the business, Davis was fired from Columbia in May 1973, accused of defrauding the company of $94,000 in expense-account violations, including paying for his son Fred’s bar mitzvah and a renovation of his apartment.
—
Jennifer Frederick,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
In the first World Cup game, Germany rocked Curaçao.
—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
The war has rocked the global economy as the cost of fuel and other goods has risen precipitously.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout round on Friday with a game to spare after an emphatic 2-0 win over Australia in front of a sellout crowd that rocked Lumen Stadium in Seattle.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
The one that seems most poised to go mainstream is the haircut rocked by chief bestie Allie Hayes, or Allie-Cat according to her puck bud, college hockey star Dean Di Laurentis, who went ahead and put the pet in pet name.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Many things seem bound to change following the scandal that rocked the show’s cast this year.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
The fatal crash has rocked the small Missouri city as state, local and federal officials comb through evidence to pinpoint its cause.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Thad Moore,
AJC.com,
23 June 2026
In a scandal that rocked the business, Davis was fired from Columbia in May 1973, accused of defrauding the company of $94,000 in expense-account violations, including paying for his son Fred’s bar mitzvah and a renovation of his apartment.
—
Jennifer Frederick,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
In the first World Cup game, Germany rocked Curaçao.
—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
The war has rocked the global economy as the cost of fuel and other goods has risen precipitously.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
The United States advanced to the World Cup knockout round on Friday with a game to spare after an emphatic 2-0 win over Australia in front of a sellout crowd that rocked Lumen Stadium in Seattle.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
The one that seems most poised to go mainstream is the haircut rocked by chief bestie Allie Hayes, or Allie-Cat according to her puck bud, college hockey star Dean Di Laurentis, who went ahead and put the pet in pet name.
—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
18 June 2026
Many things seem bound to change following the scandal that rocked the show’s cast this year.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
The fatal crash has rocked the small Missouri city as state, local and federal officials comb through evidence to pinpoint its cause.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
Latin America has lurched rightward in recent elections, as governments scramble to curtail violence stemming from record cocaine production.
-
As the carriage lurched forward, the teen’s mother fell from the vehicle, prompting Romanch Mahajan to jump out in an effort to help her, The Times reported.
Verb
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When Johnson faltered, Clark had plenty of breathing room — and a quick turnaround.
-
Still up seven games in the NL East, the Braves (46-27) are in an offensive funk over the past week, and the team’s good starting pitching has faltered some.
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
-
But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town.
-
The news surprised local law enforcement at the time, who said the information did not come from them.
Verb
-
The court said jurors received instructions from the trial judge that could have improperly swayed them toward convicting him.
-
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.
-
When the Knicks won, Berns was dazed.
Verb
-
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 28 Jun. 2026.
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