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
The murder, which rocked the quiet neighborhood and haunted those who loved Leslie, remained unsolved for over two decades.
—
Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Once again, a shooting with multiple victims has rocked Colorado – this time at a high school in Evergreen.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Two key figures in the Iran-Contra affair quietly married last month, nearly 40 years after the scandal rocked US politics and President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Their incredibly close relationship is rocked when Daniel meets the human version of an earthquake, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), an intoxicating and status-hungry real estate agent.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Like many other fashion brands, Cefinn was also rocked by the closure of one of its biggest clients, Matches, in early 2024.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Nepal has been rocked over the past two days by deadly protests led by young people who are frustrated with the country's unemployment rate and wealth gap.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Once again, a shooting with multiple victims has rocked Colorado – this time at a high school in Evergreen.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Two key figures in the Iran-Contra affair quietly married last month, nearly 40 years after the scandal rocked US politics and President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Their incredibly close relationship is rocked when Daniel meets the human version of an earthquake, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), an intoxicating and status-hungry real estate agent.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Like many other fashion brands, Cefinn was also rocked by the closure of one of its biggest clients, Matches, in early 2024.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Nepal has been rocked over the past two days by deadly protests led by young people who are frustrated with the country's unemployment rate and wealth gap.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Kirk lurched back and to the left.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Stripped of a reliable majority, Macron's governments have lurched from one showdown to the next.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The only categories that The Studio faltered in were the Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy categories.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Iranian officials have long pledged to restore the lake, but revival efforts have faltered.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Neuheisel, assistant head coach and tight ends coach, running his hands through his blond hair, stunned.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Seoul, South Korea — More than 300 South Korean workers detained by immigration authorities in Georgia last week arrived home on Friday, marking the end of a saga that has stunned their nation and threatened to upend a close bilateral friendship between the US and South Korea.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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This ensures our advice is unbiased and always in our clients’ best interest, not swayed by potential commissions or emotional market reactions.—
Gabriel Shahin,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Nor was the judge swayed by prosecutors’ arguments that Fernandes Anderson’s actions since her arrest and federal indictment last December, conviction in May, and resignation in July, were indicative of a lack of proper remorse on the former councilor’s part.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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A week after suffering a gut-punch loss to Nevada in Reno when two winning touchdowns were called back in the final moment and a tying field goal with seconds to play just missed, Sac State shook off early jitters to unleash a balanced offense in improving to 1-2.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Just three months ago, Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war that shook the Middle East.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The battle was turbo-charged when Powell surprised markets with a 50 basis point inflation hike in September last year, seen by some as a gift to Trump’s Democratic Party election rival Kamala Harris.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The council’s resolution surprised me.—
Beth Lew-Williams,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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