as in jewels
a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament
a trophy wife with enough rocks to open her own jewelry store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sways
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 shakes
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 stuns
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 surprises
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rocks
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Birds and other pollinators, like bees and butterflies, will appreciate the opportunity to pollinate nearby or the chance to rest on the rocks.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026
Rattlesnakes are commonly found on or near trails, as well as in brush, rocks and logs, particularly this time of year, the department said.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
So the rocks gave way to water — an elevated pool scene with multiple water features, including a rock waterfall, plus a poolside shower and an adjacent entertainment nook built for the kind of long afternoons that turn into night.
—David Caraccio
may 2, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026
Experts said rattlesnakes are often found on or near trails, in brush and around rocks and logs.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The protest damaged a Communist Party office, with some protesters throwing rocks at the building and hurling furniture into a bonfire amid chants of freedom.
—Jorge Carrasco, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Researchers identified corundum in three separate rocks along the Jezero Crater rim, according to New Scientist.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Avoid climbing on rocks or woodpiles where snakes may be hiding.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
By comparing the signal with known rocks and minerals from Earth, the moon and Mars, the team ruled out an Earth-like crust rich in silica and granite.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Birds and other pollinators, like bees and butterflies, will appreciate the opportunity to pollinate nearby or the chance to rest on the rocks.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026
Rattlesnakes are commonly found on or near trails, as well as in brush, rocks and logs, particularly this time of year, the department said.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
So the rocks gave way to water — an elevated pool scene with multiple water features, including a rock waterfall, plus a poolside shower and an adjacent entertainment nook built for the kind of long afternoons that turn into night.
—David Caraccio
may 2, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026
Experts said rattlesnakes are often found on or near trails, in brush and around rocks and logs.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 1 May 2026
The protest damaged a Communist Party office, with some protesters throwing rocks at the building and hurling furniture into a bonfire amid chants of freedom.
—Jorge Carrasco, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Researchers identified corundum in three separate rocks along the Jezero Crater rim, according to New Scientist.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Avoid climbing on rocks or woodpiles where snakes may be hiding.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Woody Harrelson rocks a newsboy cap at the premiere of Animal Farm in New York City on April 21.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocks
Noun
-
These jewels were acquired centuries ago when England owned India.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
But the ballyhooed prospects, the ones who earned spots on top 100 lists and were viewed as jewels of some of the Marlins’ biggest trades, are still trying to lift their numbers to respectable levels.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Biff shouts at him at the show’s excruciating climax) sways between light and dark, between the road and the deadly shoulder, advancing through his last hours on earth as if through the stations of the cross.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Sunday's vote was seen as a key test of whether the EU member nation stays on its liberal course or sways toward the right.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Accessories include a cookie that shakes when Grogu performs the Force move and a charge accessory that activates lights, sounds, and prompts a Grogu response.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Hospitals that neglect to provide certain standards of care, such as protein shakes to treat malnutrition or an unhealthy weight loss, could open themselves up to possible legal liability.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frankie Grande stuns in a velvet and diamond-studded emsemble for the premiere of Broadway's Titanique on April 12.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Trump's attack stuns the world.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
South Dakota surprises visitors with a diverse mix of landscapes, Western towns, and buzzy cities.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Given this, what still surprises me is how rarely art schools teach the business realities of being an artist – and how often artists cling to the belief that their art alone will make their careers.—
Magnus Resch,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cratejoy box Box of Books is a customizable book subscription that features new releases, bestsellers, and hidden gems along with novelty items often found in an independent bookstore.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
Wishing you all a weekend of unexpected gems, bespoke thrills, and rewarding sprints.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If a birth cohort hits what normally would be their high-earning years just as an economy booms, as the baby boomers did, their lifetime earnings will be far higher than a cohort reaching those ages just as the economy falters or goes into severe recession.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But even if Ohtani falters against the Giants, who rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored per game, that will not be a death knell to his candidacy.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocks. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
