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
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Afterwards, Mero slips on a puffer coat and the sort of shiesty Max B has been rocking and sinks into one of the cozy couches in the studio, dozing off a little.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
In Amal Clooney's case, that means rocking a fierce Versace boot and bag.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Guy Fieri has been rocking frosted spikes and a sick goatee for the better part of two decades.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
Having earned degrees in political science and history at Ohio’s Miami University, Nixon was arguably over-qualified to be a roots-rocking, hell-raising provocateur who somehow was embraced by MTV for several years and went on to become the host of several shows on Sirius XM Radio.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Lopez made a huge splash at the 2000 show, rocking this risqué Versace gown that legendarily led to the launch of Google Images.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 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
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
Mia Goth and Charli XCX, for example, have been rocking the look thanks to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park who imparted a soft-focus finish via blurred lips, diffused blush, filter-like concealers.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Afterwards, Mero slips on a puffer coat and the sort of shiesty Max B has been rocking and sinks into one of the cozy couches in the studio, dozing off a little.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
In Amal Clooney's case, that means rocking a fierce Versace boot and bag.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Guy Fieri has been rocking frosted spikes and a sick goatee for the better part of two decades.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
Having earned degrees in political science and history at Ohio’s Miami University, Nixon was arguably over-qualified to be a roots-rocking, hell-raising provocateur who somehow was embraced by MTV for several years and went on to become the host of several shows on Sirius XM Radio.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Lopez made a huge splash at the 2000 show, rocking this risqué Versace gown that legendarily led to the launch of Google Images.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
The budding photographer started bringing a camera with him on his underwater adventures to document his dives, with imagery posted on social media sharing sea species such as leopard sharks and swaying kelp forests that dance with the ebb of the ocean.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Imagine swaying to Latin rhythms, a taco in one hand, your partner’s hand in the other.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday came after hours of indications that the anticipated talks were faltering over changes in the format and content of the talks.—
JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Tesla reported its first-ever decline in annual revenue, with sales faltering across three of the past four quarters.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 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
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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
-
Figure skater Amber Glenn skated off the ice, shaking her head after an early landing bobble during today's competition.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Both physical strength and constant mental attention are required for this sport in order to control heart rate and shaking in the muscles.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fairview came out throwing haymakers, dazing the Bruins in the early going.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Nov. 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
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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