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

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

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

Verb

In a photo posted to her Instagram account on August 8, the mom of three showed off her toned muscles while rocking a resistance band and balancing her hands on a set of free weights. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026

The newlyweds were first spotted looking cozy at a brunch in September 2024 while the political scion was still engaged and Guilfoyle, 57, rocking her ring. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Yet Conolly kept rocking to the end — the Lyres were still touring until earlier this year. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026

The patented, portable Ready Rocker is ergonomically designed to help alleviate discomfort, relieve back pain, reduce stress, calm anxiety and improve sleep, fitting both deep and shallow seating with two rocking positions. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

The Land-Dweller also comes celebrity-approved, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Roger Federer both rocking it in the past. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026

Commandment had a rough Kentucky Derby, but a stellar Belmont, placing second behind Golden Tempo in a grand stretch duel that left Renegade rocking in their wake. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

As Smith read Colt’s writings, the teenager remained expressionless, sometimes gently rocking and twisting in his chair. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

The short, curly cut she’s been rocking lately was replaced with long, straight locks and choppy baby bangs. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026