Synonyms of rocking

rocking 1 of 2

noun

as in quaking

Related Words

• quaking
• trembling
• quivering
• shivering
• shaking
• juddering
• twitching
• oscillation
• jiggling
• vibration
• shuddering
• tremor
• quiver
• shudder
• tremble
• palpitation
• jiggle
• shake
• shiver
• twitch

rocking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of rock

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

• swaying
• lurching
• shaking
• rolling
• vibrating
• tossing
• jerking
• wobbling
• halting
• careening
• seesawing
• tumbling
• pitching
• faltering
• weaving
• tottering
• reeling
• staggering
• stumbling
• vacillating
• wavering
• waddling
• bucking
• hobbling
• floundering
• oscillating
• teetering
• jolting
• toddling
• hitching
• blundering
• undulating
• wagging
• doddering
• waggling

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

• faltering
• shaking
• wobbling
• trembling
• vibrating
• shuddering
• tottering
• lurching
• wavering
• teetering
• quivering
• quaking
• stumbling
• floundering
• toddling
• staggering
• reeling
• weaving
• quavering
• careening

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

• stunning
• dazing
• paralyzing
• punching
• hitting
• slamming
• striking
• slapping
• smacking
• knocking silly
• pounding
• banging
• knocking out
• bopping
• knocking for a loop
• thumping
• chopping
• deadening
• hammering
• whacking
• numbing
• benumbing
• rapping
• socking
• slugging
• thwacking
• battering
• bashing
• pummeling
• belting
• stupefying
• beating
• swatting
• smiting
• clouting
• clobbering
• clocking
• knocking down
• bludgeoning
• pasting
• bowling over
• pelting
• cuffing
• bonking
• walloping
• mangling
• buffeting
• mauling
• bunging
• whaling
• drubbing

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

• amazing
• stunning
• surprising
• shocking
• startling
• astonishing
• astounding
• stupefying
• taking by surprise
• bowling over
• thunderstriking
• flabbergasting
• dumbfounding
• taking aback
• disconcerting
• flooring
• bewildering
• jarring
• dazing
• blindsiding
• muddling
• perplexing
• nonplussing
• blowing away
• shaking up
• confusing
• befuddling
• knocking for a loop
• discomfiting
• confounding
• dismaying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rocking

Noun

Like the pair above, the shoes boast plush insoles and pillowy cushioning, along with a structure specifically designed for smooth heel-to-toe rocking. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026

Many structures in the area where the earthquake struck this week were built to withstand the seismic rocking that destroyed entire neighborhoods in 1999. — Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

If a piece of furniture is damaged—say, an outdoor wooden rocking chair with termite damage—or simply dirty, a store will not accept it. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

Ditch the plastic iterations for a sculptural rattan rocking horse that doubles as nursery decor when not in use. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

What looks like an aesthetic rocking chair is actually an anti-gravity chair, to help with spinal decompression. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

While Kesteloo is used to traveling at sea, the rocking and swaying of the boat might affect you differently. — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

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

Verb

Body camera footage showed Flynn weeping, covering his face, and rocking back and forth as police searched his home. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Back in the Day Patrick —rocking the ultimate 2008 bangs — attended the premiere of Rambo with his dad and little brother Christopher at The Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

The new album is organic, heartfelt, occasionally feisty and more than occasionally rocking. — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026

At each destination, Eliza kept doing her cinnamon roll dance, bobbing her head and rocking with joy. — Sean Carlson, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

Why not show up for the first week of the NFL season on the sideline and in the front row rocking the same head-turning attire she's become known for? — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Zendaya’s dramatic hair transformation is a noticeable departure from her signature bixie hairstyle, which she’s been rocking since early 2026, shortly before tying the knot with Tom Holland. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

The magic that once led to his head coach rocking his high school jersey dissipated. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Unfortunately, however, the warmth and love of the old pub-rocking 101’ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026