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 amazed
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
Then, just hours later, gunfire rang out outside the church near Annunciation Catholic School – an attack that rocked an already reeling community.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Doncic trade rocked the franchise and sent fans into a frenzy, with many protesting Nico Harrison at Mavs games and other events.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
The mother of two rocked a black blazer, sheer tights, and platform heels, while Cenat remained comfy in his Sixers jersey and house slides.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Over the past two years supply chain scandals have rocked the luxury fashion industry in Italy, shaking both its reputation and business practices.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
More than 900 people have died—and officials say that toll may rise—and around 3,000 were injured in an earthquake that rocked eastern Afghanistan late Sunday evening.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The homicide is not the first time a death has rocked Burning Man.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
In his September 1 start against the New York Mets, Morton was rocked.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Razorbacks rocked Alabama A&M 52-7 on Saturday while Arkansas State was taking out Southeast Missouri State 42-24.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2025
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The Doncic trade rocked the franchise and sent fans into a frenzy, with many protesting Nico Harrison at Mavs games and other events.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
The mother of two rocked a black blazer, sheer tights, and platform heels, while Cenat remained comfy in his Sixers jersey and house slides.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Over the past two years supply chain scandals have rocked the luxury fashion industry in Italy, shaking both its reputation and business practices.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
More than 900 people have died—and officials say that toll may rise—and around 3,000 were injured in an earthquake that rocked eastern Afghanistan late Sunday evening.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
The homicide is not the first time a death has rocked Burning Man.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
In his September 1 start against the New York Mets, Morton was rocked.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Razorbacks rocked Alabama A&M 52-7 on Saturday while Arkansas State was taking out Southeast Missouri State 42-24.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Stripped of a reliable majority, Macron's governments have lurched from one showdown to the next.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hopes of a rail revolution that three years ago was poised to transform connectivity between major cities seem to have faltered.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The New England Patriots faltered in the second half to start the Mike Vrabel era with a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Twenty years ago this month, UCD stunned FBS-level Stanford with a late winning drive on the road in one of the great moments in program history.—
Joe Davidosn,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Chili’s has stunned the market with same-store sales surging 24% and its parent’s stock climbing 300% over the past three years.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Having an almost 80-year-old actor at the heart of the film and in almost every scene could be a huge undertaking, but Touzani says Maura’s vitality amazed her.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Commission was swayed by Clattenburg’s expertise, saying that his view of the incidents was of greater import than Jackson’s.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Elite players, like elite coaches, are often swayed by the highest bidder.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After a while, the lady shook her head.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter about 6 miles south-southeast of Pinnacles.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video from the scene soon after the attack showed numerous children wandering dazed, covered in blood and dust.—
Mahmoud Atef,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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The boys are dazed, walking, stumbling, weaving, looking around in shock.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lead prosecutor Georgia Cappleman told reporters after the trial ended Thursday night that she was surprised by the decision but understood it.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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But in an Economist profile on the Arizona expansion, TSMC CFO Wendell Huang said he was surprised by America’s onerous and lengthy permitting process compared to that of Taiwan.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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