1
as in lurched
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in faltered
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 stunned
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 surprised
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 rocked
Haitian immigrants became eligible after an earthquake rocked the country in 2010.
—
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The explosion was part of a wave of attacks in recent days which have rocked Cauca and fueled security concerns ahead of presidential elections next month.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Saturday’s shooting rocked attendees of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an annual event attended by the Washington press corps, presidential administration staffers and celebrities.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Ducks fans expected the postseason and embraced it with a passion that rocked Honda Center during 12 playoff trips in a 15-season span, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and the 2007 championship.
—Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Nothing screams '80s like a pair of aviator sunglasses, which the Jackson all rocked as they — accompanied by Emmanuel Lewis — announced their Victory Tour while in New York in 1983.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The 1960s rocked the world and continued to haunt and inspire us as failure and ideal, more or less forever.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the shootings rocked the community roughly 200 miles east of Dallas.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Zack Bolduc and Cole Caufield, on the power play, had spotted Montreal a 2-0 lead as the Bell Centre absolutely rocked again in the anticipation and hope that perhaps their team might take a 3-1 lead over the favoured Lightning.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The explosion was part of a wave of attacks in recent days which have rocked Cauca and fueled security concerns ahead of presidential elections next month.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Saturday’s shooting rocked attendees of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, an annual event attended by the Washington press corps, presidential administration staffers and celebrities.
—Garrett Haake, NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Ducks fans expected the postseason and embraced it with a passion that rocked Honda Center during 12 playoff trips in a 15-season span, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and the 2007 championship.
—Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Nothing screams '80s like a pair of aviator sunglasses, which the Jackson all rocked as they — accompanied by Emmanuel Lewis — announced their Victory Tour while in New York in 1983.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The 1960s rocked the world and continued to haunt and inspire us as failure and ideal, more or less forever.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the shootings rocked the community roughly 200 miles east of Dallas.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehan responded by turning in his best performance of the season, but the bullpen faltered in the Dodgers’ 6-4 loss to the red-hot Cubs, who won their 10th in a row.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And the pitching and defense had faltered in key situations.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the last song in particular, Zegler stunned crowds in London by performing on the balcony of the theater which was then projected inside the venue.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.—
Joe Bruno,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The research team, comprising Tae Yeon Kim, a postdoctoral fellow, and Lane Martin, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rice University, was surprised by the large increase in magnetization.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Love Project’s success even surprised a school superintendent who came to hear Arleen give a talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They were swayed by a local program launched by city-LAB UCLA, a center founded by the University of California, Los Angeles' Architecture and Urban Design Department, which included a showcase of six prefab housing options and a guide to help navigate the process and secure financing.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
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The criticism, from Shirley, his supporters, and California Republicans, has not swayed Democratic state lawmakers.—
Andrew Graham
April 26,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Minutes into the execution, the team warden briefly flicked Hitchcock‘s face and yelled his name twice and shook his shoulders.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Bukele shook off his delusions of being the emperor of social media and abandoned his bullying tactics in the face of the biggest bully.—
Óscar Martínez,
The Dial,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite seeming dazed at first, Wembanyama was able to stand and ran into the tunnel to get further evaluation in the locker room.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Eleven, the show’s telekinetic heroine, who grew up in a lab, became dazed by the number of clothing options at the Gap.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at this high school principal's incredible bravery.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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What really amazed the animal lover was Bow's loyalty to Shy, even though the dogs had only known each other for a day.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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