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
Pamela Anderson has rocked a bob for some time now, but her latest 'do includes pops of pastel pink.
—
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s a huge decline from the 125 homicides that rocked the city in 2023.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
During each show, Blue Ivy rocked the stage as a lead dancer.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
In October 2025, Grey's Anatomy returned for season 22, picking up in the aftermath of the devastating explosion that rocked the hospital in the season 21 finale.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
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
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
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
That’s a huge decline from the 125 homicides that rocked the city in 2023.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
During each show, Blue Ivy rocked the stage as a lead dancer.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
In October 2025, Grey's Anatomy returned for season 22, picking up in the aftermath of the devastating explosion that rocked the hospital in the season 21 finale.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
The relentless Chacon lurched outside after her just as his car door opened and out popped their 6-year-old son, begging his dad to stop.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
New year optimism was certainly in short supply inside Anfield as the mood lurched from restlessness to exasperation and then anger.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pass protection faltered, the run game stalled and Love couldn’t find a rhythm through the air as Green Bay welcomed Chicago back into the game and the Bears once again took advantage to end their archrival’s season in stunning fashion.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Traffic in restaurants faltered, as budget-conscious customers ate out less often and spent less.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Archaeologists stunned by ancient skeleton showing man's survival after lion attack.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the 1995 classic Clueless, Silverstone stunned as Cher Horowitz in a red Alaïa mini-dress.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Babz didn’t have much to worry about, as the Patriots surprised him with a 14-3 record, claiming the AFC East title.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Lucy Dacus surprised fans by bringing out Chappell Roan during a benefit concert for Sudan and Palestine relief efforts in Los Angeles.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t be swayed by the self-congratulatory rhetoric.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The protest represented the first test of whether the Iranian public could be swayed by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father fled Iran just before the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The crime was not the only one that shook the state over the weekend.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Jan. 2026
-
His whole body shook, intimidating everyone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Eleven, the show’s telekinetic heroine, who grew up in a lab, became dazed by the number of clothing options at the Gap.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 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
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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