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
Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.
—
Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Where Iran’s protests stand One month after Iran was rocked by the beginning of the deadliest crackdown in its modern history, the full toll of the regime’s response to nationwide protests is still coming into focus.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026
Both dramas from Asia offer a panorama of a family rocked by unexpected circumstances and grappling with the mundane realities of an economic life mismatched to their goals.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2017, the elite world that Siegal moved in was rocked by the #MeToo movement, which took down powerful figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and Rose, who were staples of New York society.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
In the photos, Lopez rocked a slinky black catsuit.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Getting rocked to sleep in a comfortable bed while gazing out the window is not to be missed.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Chappell Roan, who was crowned the best new artist at the 2025 Grammys, rocked a sheer, deep burgundy gown with a dramatically plunging neckline, layered with a flowing chiffon cape and trailing train.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
On May 17, a bomb rocked Palm Springs, California – shaking structures for several blocks, shattering glass and leveling one innocuous-looking building.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Where Iran’s protests stand One month after Iran was rocked by the beginning of the deadliest crackdown in its modern history, the full toll of the regime’s response to nationwide protests is still coming into focus.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026
Both dramas from Asia offer a panorama of a family rocked by unexpected circumstances and grappling with the mundane realities of an economic life mismatched to their goals.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
In 2017, the elite world that Siegal moved in was rocked by the #MeToo movement, which took down powerful figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and Rose, who were staples of New York society.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
In the photos, Lopez rocked a slinky black catsuit.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Getting rocked to sleep in a comfortable bed while gazing out the window is not to be missed.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Chappell Roan, who was crowned the best new artist at the 2025 Grammys, rocked a sheer, deep burgundy gown with a dramatically plunging neckline, layered with a flowing chiffon cape and trailing train.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tennessee faltered again right before half, missing six of its final seven shots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Lock went 4-1 as a starter in 2019 after taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, but faltered in a rocky 2020, with a league-leading 13 interceptions in just 13 games.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The opportunity wasn’t lost on Shula, the rock-solid legend who sat afterward at his locker, openly crying, in a manner that stunned Dolphins personnel.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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Alphabet’s massive increase in AI infrastructure spending sets a new high water mark just one week after Meta stunned the Street by announcing plans to nearly double its capex to between $115 billion and $135 billion this year.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Martin highlighted the findings, which mostly conformed to his expectations but still surprised him in the magnitude of the angst over the work situationship.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, which operates Gemini, said in a recent interview that he was surprised by OpenAI’s decision to monetize the chatbot through ads this early.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pair swayed together before exchanging a kiss as the dancers surrounding them cheered and applauded.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald swayed with his eyes closed while New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stood tall with a hand over his heart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tomlyn asked, to which Chloe shook her head no.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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And after Britain scored four stones to take the score to 10-5 in end seven, Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Lill Harri also called an end to their match and shook hands.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Firefighters were trying to put out flames, others were trying to find victims inside, Sanford's truck was still there and church members who'd just survived the horror were on the lawn, dazed.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What amazed me the most was the remains of what appeared to be a tall conifer — possibly a cypress or cedar — on Edgar Street in Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire ravaged an entire street.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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The universe amazed me yet again.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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