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, 4 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
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
Staff Author, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The earlier‑referenced Quest returns from its world cruise in July for Northern Europe and Canada/New England sailings — still rocking that new bow-to-stern makeover.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
The Irish actress is crazed as Mary, demure as Ida and a force of nature as the Bride, rocking a bright orange dress and a black veil in her white coif.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
When Jalen Suggs stepped onto the Kia Center court Sunday night against the Pistons, the Magic guard was rocking a new haircut.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Twist 200 million lemon rinds, using only French carbon steel, rocking back & forth.
—Kortney Morrow, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Kyle says a teary good-bye to everyone, gets on a boat, and is let out in the deep blue water, heading back to civilization, heading over each rocking swell, not into the future, but somehow into the past.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Bella Hadid, Jenner’s fellow supermodel, was spotted rocking a pair of crisp, cream-colored slacks in Aspen as recently as January.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2026
More on The Eagles The Eagles have been rocking for more than five decades.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
Pfeiffer sat in a wooden rocking chair on a porch.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 4 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
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
Graham kept the pops of color going in another snap, rocking a pink denim romper with oversize tortoiseshell shades.
—Staff Author, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The earlier‑referenced Quest returns from its world cruise in July for Northern Europe and Canada/New England sailings — still rocking that new bow-to-stern makeover.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
The Irish actress is crazed as Mary, demure as Ida and a force of nature as the Bride, rocking a bright orange dress and a black veil in her white coif.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
When Jalen Suggs stepped onto the Kia Center court Sunday night against the Pistons, the Magic guard was rocking a new haircut.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Twist 200 million lemon rinds, using only French carbon steel, rocking back & forth.
—Kortney Morrow, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Kyle says a teary good-bye to everyone, gets on a boat, and is let out in the deep blue water, heading back to civilization, heading over each rocking swell, not into the future, but somehow into the past.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Bella Hadid, Jenner’s fellow supermodel, was spotted rocking a pair of crisp, cream-colored slacks in Aspen as recently as January.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2026
More on The Eagles The Eagles have been rocking for more than five decades.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
Deputies said Thorpe had bloodshot eyes, was swaying and unsteady, and had a fruity odor on her breath, according to the report.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
From hiking and biking to navigating swaying cruise ships and 500-acre theme parks, shoppers have put these comfy, supportive sandals to the test.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tatum’s injury was supposed to be a big reason the conference was so wide-open, along with the Indiana Pacers faltering because of Tyrese Haliburton’s own Achilles injury.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Now, as the conflict has shown signs of widening to other countries, including Lebanon and Bahrain, traditional safe-haven assets are showing signs of faltering.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 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
-
The two sides have been lurching toward this end for a while now.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Brant, who was elected in a special election in August, inherited an office already in disarray, in a county that has spent the past year lurching from one government crisis to the next.—
Nick El Hajj,
Des Moines Register,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Weak to light shaking has been detected and people reported feeling the tremor in several cities, including Geyserville, Kelseyville and Cloverdale according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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But Bergeron was there every time his team needed a big stop, leaving the Vikings (15-7-2) shaking their heads many times.—
Matt Roy,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 14 Mar. 2026.
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