Synonyms of rocking

rocking 1 of 2

noun

as in quaking

Related Words

• quaking
• trembling
• quivering
• shivering
• shaking
• juddering
• twitching
• oscillation
• jiggling
• vibration
• shuddering
• tremor
• quiver
• shudder
• tremble
• palpitation
• jiggle
• shake
• shiver
• twitch

rocking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rock

1

as in swaying

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swaying
• lurching
• shaking
• rolling
• vibrating
• tossing
• jerking
• wobbling
• halting
• careening
• seesawing
• tumbling
• pitching
• faltering
• weaving
• tottering
• reeling
• staggering
• stumbling
• vacillating
• wavering
• waddling
• bucking
• hobbling
• floundering
• oscillating
• teetering
• jolting
• toddling
• hitching
• blundering
• undulating
• wagging
• doddering
• waggling

2

as in faltering

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

• faltering
• shaking
• wobbling
• trembling
• vibrating
• shuddering
• tottering
• lurching
• wavering
• teetering
• quivering
• quaking
• stumbling
• floundering
• toddling
• staggering
• reeling
• weaving
• quavering
• careening

3

as in stunning

to make senseless or dizzy by a blow

she rocked the mugger with a single punch and then ran

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stunning
• dazing
• paralyzing
• punching
• hitting
• slamming
• striking
• slapping
• smacking
• knocking silly
• pounding
• banging
• knocking out
• bopping
• knocking for a loop
• thumping
• chopping
• deadening
• hammering
• whacking
• numbing
• benumbing
• rapping
• socking
• slugging
• thwacking
• battering
• bashing
• pummeling
• belting
• stupefying
• beating
• swatting
• smiting
• clouting
• clobbering
• clocking
• knocking down
• bludgeoning
• pasting
• bowling over
• pelting
• cuffing
• bonking
• walloping
• mangling
• buffeting
• mauling
• bunging
• whaling
• drubbing

4

as in amazing

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amazing
• stunning
• surprising
• shocking
• startling
• astonishing
• astounding
• stupefying
• taking by surprise
• bowling over
• thunderstriking
• flabbergasting
• dumbfounding
• taking aback
• disconcerting
• flooring
• bewildering
• jarring
• dazing
• blindsiding
• muddling
• perplexing
• nonplussing
• blowing away
• shaking up
• confusing
• befuddling
• knocking for a loop
• discomfiting
• confounding
• dismaying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rocking

Noun

Like the pair above, the shoes boast plush insoles and pillowy cushioning, along with a structure specifically designed for smooth heel-to-toe rocking. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026

Many structures in the area where the earthquake struck this week were built to withstand the seismic rocking that destroyed entire neighborhoods in 1999. — Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

If a piece of furniture is damaged—say, an outdoor wooden rocking chair with termite damage—or simply dirty, a store will not accept it. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

Ditch the plastic iterations for a sculptural rattan rocking horse that doubles as nursery decor when not in use. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

What looks like an aesthetic rocking chair is actually an anti-gravity chair, to help with spinal decompression. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

While Kesteloo is used to traveling at sea, the rocking and swaying of the boat might affect you differently. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Alan Bishop’s latest album seems at first like a showcase of his music at its most rocking. — Marc Masters, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2026

There are some traditional pieces that set a framework for the exhibition — functional objects, like a rustic rocking chair made from logs hewn from pine and aspen by Jon Weekly, who owns Medicine Wolf Furniture, headquartered in Denver. — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

Unfortunately, however, the warmth and love of the old pub-rocking 101’ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026

In a series of video calls with different groups, Kracht explained it in terms of a baby rocking in a cradle. — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Zizou Bergs Zizou Bergs served nonchalant-cool boy vibes upon his arrival to New York City for the US Open, rocking an oversized charcoal graphic tee from Golden Goose paired with voluminous black trousers and his personalized Golden Goose shoes. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

As quickly as the light left, it was ushered back to the day in the hands of Björk rocking a custom Robert Wun balloon dress. — E.r. Pulgar, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026

His music, a blend of charismatic and electrifying punk and post-punk, provided the hard-rocking moment of the entire three-and-a-half-hour evening. — David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Roan later took to the stage in a purple miniskirt ensemble, rocking a bob. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2026

As friends and family gathered in black-tie attire, Billie Eilish had the honor of officiating her brother’s wedding ceremony while rocking a plunging corset dress that beautifully complemented the storybook landscape. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026

Heidi Klum is now rocking bare nails and showing how the trend works for long nails. — Paula Oelbaum, Glamour, 23 Aug. 2026