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
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2
as in wobbling
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
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
This weekend, Chalamet—who is currently rocking a buzz cut—was spotted on the streets of Manhattan, and his outfit was worthy of a double take.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Jordan’s greatness has permeated every sport, with baseball players like Jazz Chisholm, football players like Jalen Hurts of the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles, to soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain rocking the Jumpman.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The singer was also seen rocking the rings the rings during her interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that aired earlier that day.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
The couple broke down their outfits with Kai rocking a combination of Maison Margiela and vintage fashion while Gigi donned an Oh Polly fit paired with a Dior bag.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2025
In fact, the tranquility of the rocking waves, or maybe the transient, ineffable quality of the water, seems to have lodged in Christian’s brain.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Taylor Swift‘s Life of a Showgirl special theatrical event is rocking at the domestic box office, where it’s headed for a first-place finish with a weekend haul of $28 million to $32 million from 3,702 theaters, according to estimates from Swift’s team and partner AMC Theatres.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Rate Field was rocking that night, the peak of the Sox rebuild.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Noun
Everyone pulled up to the party in cowboy attire, with Drake rocking denim jeans and a top covered by a black puffer vest.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
This weekend, Chalamet—who is currently rocking a buzz cut—was spotted on the streets of Manhattan, and his outfit was worthy of a double take.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Jordan’s greatness has permeated every sport, with baseball players like Jazz Chisholm, football players like Jalen Hurts of the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles, to soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain rocking the Jumpman.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The singer was also seen rocking the rings the rings during her interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that aired earlier that day.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
The couple broke down their outfits with Kai rocking a combination of Maison Margiela and vintage fashion while Gigi donned an Oh Polly fit paired with a Dior bag.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2025
In fact, the tranquility of the rocking waves, or maybe the transient, ineffable quality of the water, seems to have lodged in Christian’s brain.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Taylor Swift‘s Life of a Showgirl special theatrical event is rocking at the domestic box office, where it’s headed for a first-place finish with a weekend haul of $28 million to $32 million from 3,702 theaters, according to estimates from Swift’s team and partner AMC Theatres.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Rate Field was rocking that night, the peak of the Sox rebuild.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
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At his best, Marsch is a gregarious and engaged public speaker, capable of swaying public opinion with pointed, clear thoughts.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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Come on, just look at its azure waters, its white sand beaches, and swaying palm trees—not to mention its fantastic food, culture, history, and adventure opportunities.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Think polarization, geopolitical instability, a lot of things that just have people wobbling right now.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The title track opens the affair by lurching and creeping forward for ten minutes with odd, off-putting lyrics.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The brief clip appeared to show one of the landing skids shaking moments before the crash.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge chicken lightly in flour, shaking off excess.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
6 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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Many Amazon reviewers shared the harrowing accidents that motivated them to finally buy one, including a car rolling off a ferry and a rollover accident with kids in the backseat.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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Set against a stunning backdrop inspired by Ancient Greece, from boulder-rolling challenges inspired by Sisyphus to tense encounters with Medusa’s gaze, every quest determines the players that earn the strategic power to decide who visits Pandora’s Box.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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History will probably remember this Ravens team for faltering because of injuries, namely to their starting quarterback.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Street is critical of Cornell for not initiating enough changes and corrections to improve Target’s business, which has been faltering for several seasons.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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