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
Relevance
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
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 rocked
The former premier is considered a political ally of Sánchez, whose party has been rocked by other corruption scandals over the past two years.
—
ABC News, 19 May 2026
Claude's Mythos, which rocked the financial world with its ability to exploit vulnerabilities in existing software, is a sign of how fast the industry changes.
—Elizabeth MacBride, CNBC, 19 May 2026
To accentuate her silver metallic gown, Twain rocked rocked full bangs teamed with long auburn tresses.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Kelsey is moving into her new apartment with the help of her mom and sister, both of whom are rocked by the news that her sugar daddy is still paying just about all of her bills.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Last year, two mass abductions from schools rocked the nation, with more than 300 children taken in the northern region.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The judiciary said Shahbakhsh carried out his attacks during protests that rocked Iran in 2022 and 2023 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
The cruise ship rocked by an unprecedented Andes hantavirus outbreak arrived in the Canary Islands off the coast of Tenerife Island over the weekend and is being evacuated.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The room was narrow and had only one window, and the seminar table was actually four small tables of different heights, which, shoved together, rocked back and forth like shifting tectonic plates.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
ABC News, 19 May 2026
Claude's Mythos, which rocked the financial world with its ability to exploit vulnerabilities in existing software, is a sign of how fast the industry changes.
—Elizabeth MacBride, CNBC, 19 May 2026
To accentuate her silver metallic gown, Twain rocked rocked full bangs teamed with long auburn tresses.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Kelsey is moving into her new apartment with the help of her mom and sister, both of whom are rocked by the news that her sugar daddy is still paying just about all of her bills.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Last year, two mass abductions from schools rocked the nation, with more than 300 children taken in the northern region.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The judiciary said Shahbakhsh carried out his attacks during protests that rocked Iran in 2022 and 2023 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman.
—CBS News, 12 May 2026
The cruise ship rocked by an unprecedented Andes hantavirus outbreak arrived in the Canary Islands off the coast of Tenerife Island over the weekend and is being evacuated.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The room was narrow and had only one window, and the seminar table was actually four small tables of different heights, which, shoved together, rocked back and forth like shifting tectonic plates.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
-
So between those two things, the balance of gerrymanders has lurched pretty abruptly toward the right.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, federal policy has lurched in opposite directions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have faltered.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
-
The ceasefire remains tenuous, with diplomatic efforts for a more durable peace having faltered.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the officials, who works in cybersecurity, was stunned by her remark; his office’s previous work with CISA and federal law enforcement involved reporting death threats against elections officials and cyber risks.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Celebrini, the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft, was at the 2025 tournament on a team that included Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, but the Canadians were stunned 2-1 by Denmark in the quarterfinals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The guard admitted he was surprised by the lack of questions about his medical status but voiced confidence that the issue would not continue into his NBA career.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Moroney even surprised the night's guests with a special video message as the teens got ready.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
-
According to the court, Hill made comments that could have swayed how jurors viewed the evidence and pushed them toward a guilty verdict.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Her plea will spare a lengthy discovery period and likely mark the legal denouement of a federal probe that shook Sacramento after the FBI recorded dozens of lobbyists in the summer of 2024 as part of the investigation.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
The writer-director sets her sophomore feature barely two years after the country shook off the despot’s iron grip.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Still dazed from the emotional hangover, the Lakers lost their next two games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
When Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone at America’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, the invention amazed the crowd.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
I'mPhaedra Trethan, amazed at these quick-thinking kids.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
