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
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
Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Here’s what to know about the scandal rocking Shein.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
But that certainly didn’t stop the critics from nitpicking everything from her rocking sleeveless dresses to not wearing hosiery.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Backed by guitarist Larry Campbell, drummer Steve Jordan, bassist Joey Spampinato of NRBQ, and pianist Ivan Neville, Richards’ set was brief — only three songs — but made up for the brevity with a clanking, juke-joint-rocking performance.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
An incredible comeback had Paycor Stadium rocking in disbelief.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Elsewhere, the e-cargo is built around aluminum front and rear frame components, rolls on 20-inch wheels wearing Scwhalbe rubber, and comes to a halt courtesy of Tektro quad-piston hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm discs.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
Laurence Fishburne joins the cast as the higher vampire Regis, rocking a fanciful new look.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The resulting storyline explores unconventional exorcism and pagan theology in frightening terms — plus the Doors are rocking on the soundtrack.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Verb
Figure skaters rocking the rink this year will include Olympians Jeremy Abbott, Nathan Chen, Keegan Messing, Mariah Bell, Polina Edmunds and Sinead Kerr Marshall with partner John Kerr, alongside viral sensation Elladj Baldé and Maxim Naumov.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Here’s what to know about the scandal rocking Shein.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
But that certainly didn’t stop the critics from nitpicking everything from her rocking sleeveless dresses to not wearing hosiery.
—Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Backed by guitarist Larry Campbell, drummer Steve Jordan, bassist Joey Spampinato of NRBQ, and pianist Ivan Neville, Richards’ set was brief — only three songs — but made up for the brevity with a clanking, juke-joint-rocking performance.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
An incredible comeback had Paycor Stadium rocking in disbelief.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Elsewhere, the e-cargo is built around aluminum front and rear frame components, rolls on 20-inch wheels wearing Scwhalbe rubber, and comes to a halt courtesy of Tektro quad-piston hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm discs.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
Laurence Fishburne joins the cast as the higher vampire Regis, rocking a fanciful new look.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The resulting storyline explores unconventional exorcism and pagan theology in frightening terms — plus the Doors are rocking on the soundtrack.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
And some people kept watching and swaying and moving.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Some people kept watching and swaying and moving.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That reinforced the idea that inflation concerns should take a backseat to worries about faltering job growth.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
29 Oct. 2025
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After faltering in the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Wilson and the Aces capped off a dominant postseason run Friday by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 win.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lost in the trembling of my own body, trembling like Bunny’s body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Back then, Newcastle’s thin squad staggered between results, lurching from challenging the best sides in the league to befuddling losses to inferior squads.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just two weeks ago, Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi was shaking hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
-
As the title suggests, this sprawling tale centers on Raja, a man in his sixties who lives with his mother in Beirut, a city shaking with political and ecological turmoil.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 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
Verb
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La Niña sets the stage by keeping moisture available, while the easterly QBO can trigger a wobbling polar vortex that pushes Arctic cold southward.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Trips to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur will be challenging, but the team are getting better at wobbling without falling over.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Going Solo, surprising his daughters and fans Of course, the girls are the Jonas Brothers and Kevin’s biggest fans.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
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Fallon ended the chat by surprising the trio with the presentation of the platinum plaque for the movie’s soundtrack.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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