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
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
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rocking
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Jennifer's Body actress Megan Fox went as Spears in 2022, rocking the pop star's legendary head-to-toe denim outfit from the 2001 American Music Awards.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, the e-cargo is built around aluminum front and rear frame components, rolls on 20-inch wheels wearing Scwhalbe rubber, and comes to a halt courtesy of Tektro quad-piston hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm discs.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
The series continues its pattern of plot complications and head-spinning mythologizing, adding new faces (including Laurence Fishburne, rocking his medieval fantasy glow-up), new magical rules and new dirty, bloody fight scenes.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The resulting storyline explores unconventional exorcism and pagan theology in frightening terms — plus the Doors are rocking on the soundtrack.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
But Josh still got to step out in standout fashion too, rocking a look from Harbison Studio.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
The biopic cost $55 million, and since theater owners keep roughly half of the ticket sales, the film needs to keep rocking at the box office to justify its price tag.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
The rest of the quintet — vocalist Dexter Holland, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn — then joined in for a rocking (yet, sadly, abbreviated) take on that same album’s legendary title track.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
An incredible comeback had Paycor Stadium rocking in disbelief.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Jennifer's Body actress Megan Fox went as Spears in 2022, rocking the pop star's legendary head-to-toe denim outfit from the 2001 American Music Awards.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, the e-cargo is built around aluminum front and rear frame components, rolls on 20-inch wheels wearing Scwhalbe rubber, and comes to a halt courtesy of Tektro quad-piston hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm discs.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
The series continues its pattern of plot complications and head-spinning mythologizing, adding new faces (including Laurence Fishburne, rocking his medieval fantasy glow-up), new magical rules and new dirty, bloody fight scenes.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The resulting storyline explores unconventional exorcism and pagan theology in frightening terms — plus the Doors are rocking on the soundtrack.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
But Josh still got to step out in standout fashion too, rocking a look from Harbison Studio.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
The biopic cost $55 million, and since theater owners keep roughly half of the ticket sales, the film needs to keep rocking at the box office to justify its price tag.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
Quarterback Mahomes was seen standing mostly still, swaying a bit with his hands behind his back during the anthem.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In 2023, House Republicans held hearings on the companies' roles in swaying votes around environmental, social and governance investing.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That reinforced the idea that inflation concerns should take a backseat to worries about faltering job growth.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
29 Oct. 2025
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After faltering in the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Wilson and the Aces capped off a dominant postseason run Friday by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 win.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lost in the trembling of my own body, trembling like Bunny’s body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The mood is lurching between calm and doom-mongering chaos.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Part of it was that Mark Kerr was sitting right beside him, shaking through the entire film—for many reasons.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The old dog slowed to a stop, nose full of bird stink, feathery tail quivering.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trips to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur will be challenging, but the team are getting better at wobbling without falling over.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
An internal compression pad and multiple pockets help maximize packing space in this lightweight spinner, which is crafted from water-repellent nylon and boasts a proprietary stabilizer to prevent wobbling.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Going Solo, surprising his daughters and fans Of course, the girls are the Jonas Brothers and Kevin’s biggest fans.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Fallon ended the chat by surprising the trio with the presentation of the platinum plaque for the movie’s soundtrack.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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