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
Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 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
The sturdy rocking base is great for steep uphill and downhill control and traction.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Hey, if the formula’s rocking, why change it now?
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Guests can also head to Bar Car 3674 for a night spent sipping cocktails and listening to live piano music, before retiring to their cabins to fall asleep with the gentle rocking of the train.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2025
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Former Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, surprise guest Bruce Springsteen and a cadre of hard-rocking friends delivered a high-energy musical call-to-action during a benefit concert at noon Friday at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The shadow here is staying connected out of obligation or fear of rocking the boat.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner have both been spotted in the brand’s butt-flattering bottoms, and Taylor Swift has been rocking them since 2012.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
But Rih wasn’t rocking one of Anderson’s sculptural gowns or woven capelets.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
The festival’s multiple venues are rocking through Sunday with several other shows.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
With a rocking intro song from Duran Duran, the music of A View to a Kill stands out among the best in the franchise.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Sheletta Brundidge ran from her car to give Noir a big, rocking embrace.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
In the first stills that have been released, Pfeiffer is seen sitting in a wooden rocking chair on a porch.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 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
The sturdy rocking base is great for steep uphill and downhill control and traction.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Hey, if the formula’s rocking, why change it now?
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
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
Guests can also head to Bar Car 3674 for a night spent sipping cocktails and listening to live piano music, before retiring to their cabins to fall asleep with the gentle rocking of the train.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Just before she was spotted at the awards show, the Kylie Cosmetics founder (who didn't walk the carpet) showed off her ensemble on Instagram, rocking a custom sequin Ashi Studio curve-hugging gown with a low sweetheart neckline accented with straps that lay across her shoulders and chest.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Former Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, surprise guest Bruce Springsteen and a cadre of hard-rocking friends delivered a high-energy musical call-to-action during a benefit concert at noon Friday at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
The shadow here is staying connected out of obligation or fear of rocking the boat.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Kate Middleton and Jennifer Garner have both been spotted in the brand’s butt-flattering bottoms, and Taylor Swift has been rocking them since 2012.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
But Rih wasn’t rocking one of Anderson’s sculptural gowns or woven capelets.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
The festival’s multiple venues are rocking through Sunday with several other shows.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
With a rocking intro song from Duran Duran, the music of A View to a Kill stands out among the best in the franchise.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Sheletta Brundidge ran from her car to give Noir a big, rocking embrace.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
Behind him, the procession slowly comes to rest, their candles swaying in the night air.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Australian scientists believe increasingly crowded waters and rising ocean temperatures are swaying sharks' migratory patterns, which may be contributing to a rise in attacks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Darnold has also found some big-game redemption after faltering for the Minnesota Vikings late in the season last year.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Jan. 2026
-
And his retribution campaign—faltering to this point, to be sure—targeted the chairman of the Federal Reserve, who is now the subject of a Justice Department investigation.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Its strength ranges from mild, causing little more discomfort than a slight trembling, to severe, in which passengers or flight crew can be thrown around the cabin and risk injury if not wearing seatbelts.—
Cat Rainsford,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The midterm blue wave backlash is gathering, with the generic ballot lurching in the Democrats' favor and Trump’s popularity cratering.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Virtually all the players, and often their caddies, make a point of coming over and shaking hands with the servicemen.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fairview came out throwing haymakers, dazing the Bruins in the early going.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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 2 Feb. 2026.
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