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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rocked
Stone, who rocked a daring pixie cut during awards season, has also been making headlines for her style as of late — particularly for opening up about shaving her head for her role in Bugonia.
—
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 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
Mass protests in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in recent years have also rocked South and Southeast Asia as young people fight against poverty and corruption.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Bella Hadid, Jennie, Aubrey Plaza, Charli XCX, Jenna Ortega, Julia Roberts, and so many cool, famous women have rocked this orthopedic-ish brand.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2025
Burks is confident, freedom-loving, fashionable (and rocked a lime green suit on the red carpet), and loves to have fun.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the world of college football was rocked by Penn State’s firing of coach James Franklin.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 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
Mass protests in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines in recent years have also rocked South and Southeast Asia as young people fight against poverty and corruption.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Bella Hadid, Jennie, Aubrey Plaza, Charli XCX, Jenna Ortega, Julia Roberts, and so many cool, famous women have rocked this orthopedic-ish brand.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2025
Burks is confident, freedom-loving, fashionable (and rocked a lime green suit on the red carpet), and loves to have fun.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the world of college football was rocked by Penn State’s firing of coach James Franklin.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
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
-
The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The industry also plans to mix hydrogen into its existing gas utility pipeline network, but those efforts have faltered amid local opposition.—
NPR,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In a topsy-turvy season where AFC faves Kansas City and Baltimore have faltered, and Jacksonville and Indianapolis have been major surprises, people still want to discount Tomlin and the Black and Gold.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Maxing out Speech is fine, but if the Intimidator trait isn’t also selected, some characters still won’t be swayed by the Commander’s silver tongue.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The bridge swayed ever so slightly as the mass of runners began to storm across.—
Nicholas Thompson,
The Atlantic,
23 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
-
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
-
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 28 Oct. 2025.
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