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

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

Then, noticing changes in the wind and the rocking of the boat, an uneasiness crept over the veteran seaman. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026

Then there’s the literal rocking of docks and fishing boats, which causes disputes between different lake users. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026

Keeping with the Marlow collection’s outdoor rocking chair theme is this set of two chairs. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026

Verb

Later that day, Rowley was drenched in sweat, rocking back and forth and mumbling incoherently as the poison – later identified as Novichok, a Russian nerve agent – took hold of him, too. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

So if there are any cool women with great fashion sense who want to help a mom out who’s rocking sneakers and oversized T-shirts these days, hit me up, please. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

Celebrities like PinkPantheress, Mika Abdalla, and Tallulah and Scout Willis have all been spotted rocking various Affection BLVD pieces on Instagram as well, so the brand's star is poised to rise with each new release. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Earlier that year, the actress attended the opening night of Sea Wall/A Life on Broadway while rocking a custom hot pink dress by Brandon Maxwell. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Michelle Yeoh is rocking a brand new look for Paris Haute Couture Week. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 July 2026

The country’s massive celebrations have made international headlines, with videos of exuberant fans rocking cars and even buses going viral. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

On Tuesday night, the hallowed ground was rocking once again. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Woody’s daughter Nora Guthrie, who has spent many years shepherding her father’s musical legacy, was rocking a cowbell and getting into the spirit. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026