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

At each destination, Eliza kept doing her cinnamon roll dance, bobbing her head and rocking with joy. — Sean Carlson, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Why not show up for the first week of the NFL season on the sideline and in the front row rocking the same head-turning attire she's become known for? — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

The two are very supportive of each other, attending each other’s games, rocking outfits with the others’ names on them and walking red carpets together, like at the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026

Zendaya’s dramatic hair transformation is a noticeable departure from her signature bixie hairstyle, which she’s been rocking since early 2026, shortly before tying the knot with Tom Holland. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

The magic that once led to his head coach rocking his high school jersey dissipated. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

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

Nikola Jokic would be rocking the owner’s box at Coors Field, a world-class player at a world-class venue, instead of cheering on Arsenal Football Club, soccer jewel in the KSE crown, over at the Champions League final across the pond. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2026