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
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
While Kesteloo is used to traveling at sea, the rocking and swaying of the boat might affect you differently.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 13 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
Expect leather benches, custom drapery, rattan rocking chairs, and oversize armoires that discreetly conceal the tile-and-marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and bamboo shades.
—AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025
There is only Kyle and her porch and her chair and the rocking, the rocking, the rocking, the rocking.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
People Staff, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
The explosion – rocking the Atlantic Coast of Florida and startling residents – completely destroyed the rocket's booster and upper stage that flies in orbit, while significantly damaging the launch pad.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Among those is the album’s rocking title song.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 May 2026
Nor did the sale of Guehi for £20m and Glasner repeatedly rocking the boat.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
From a whistleblower lawsuit rocking Kansas City Hall to a luxury retailer headed for the Country Club Plaza, here’s a roundup of what’s making news in the Kansas City region.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Thank you all for rocking with us.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Well, Jalen Brunson led New York to a comeback win in overtime that had Madison Square Garden rocking.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The thick, rocking sole helps move you forward, taking a bit of pressure off the joints and adding a spring to your step.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Noun
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
While Kesteloo is used to traveling at sea, the rocking and swaying of the boat might affect you differently.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 13 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
Expect leather benches, custom drapery, rattan rocking chairs, and oversize armoires that discreetly conceal the tile-and-marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and bamboo shades.
—AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025
There is only Kyle and her porch and her chair and the rocking, the rocking, the rocking, the rocking.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
Paul Anthony Kelly is spotted on the streets of New York City on May 26 rocking a boat-neck navy sweater, black glasses and a big smile.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
The explosion – rocking the Atlantic Coast of Florida and startling residents – completely destroyed the rocket's booster and upper stage that flies in orbit, while significantly damaging the launch pad.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Among those is the album’s rocking title song.
—Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 May 2026
Nor did the sale of Guehi for £20m and Glasner repeatedly rocking the boat.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
From a whistleblower lawsuit rocking Kansas City Hall to a luxury retailer headed for the Country Club Plaza, here’s a roundup of what’s making news in the Kansas City region.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
Thank you all for rocking with us.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Well, Jalen Brunson led New York to a comeback win in overtime that had Madison Square Garden rocking.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 May 2026
The thick, rocking sole helps move you forward, taking a bit of pressure off the joints and adding a spring to your step.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
The man looked at me in a rustling way, swaying toward me, his Styrofoam plate of angel hair and cherry tomatoes dotted with tiny black seeds like ants’ eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Bathrooms include illuminated sink basins and cocoon tubs, as well as inside and outdoor showers, shaded by swaying palms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
After faltering in last year’s Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
But now, as the public understands the consequences of our faltering democracy, more people are talking about it, Drutman said.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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All the trembling, as Kimbangu touched the sick, alarmed European settlers and reassured the plantation workers who trekked to Nkamba in search of healing.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At first this change of scale vivifies the butterfly—its brief stillness, the angle of its wings, its trembling—while freezing everything else, including the novel’s action.—
Ben Lerner,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are some of the heaviest grooves that Seefeel have created in ages, channeling lurching currents through intricate chains of dub delay.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
-
The ladies haven’t had that problem, lurching out of the gate like the racehorses at Ascot.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
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With Arena Monterrey shaking, El Grande II hit a flying clothesline for a nearfall.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
YouTubers in their 20s are shaking things up in Hollywood.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Fairview came out throwing haymakers, dazing the Bruins in the early going.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The horror has come now like a storm— what if this night prefigured the night after death— what if all thereafter was an eternal quivering on the edge of an abyss, with everything base and vicious in oneself urging one forward and the baseness and viciousness of the world just ahead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
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The old dog slowed to a stop, nose full of bird stink, feathery tail quivering.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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