Synonyms of rock

rock 1 of 3

noun

slang

as in gem

a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament

a trophy wife with enough rocks to open her own jewelry store

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gem
• jewel
• jewelry
• gemstone
• brilliant
• bauble
• zircon
• scarab
• trinket
• cabochon
• baguette
• rhinestone
• cameo
• solitaire
• crown jewels
• bijou
• paste
• teardrop
• birthstone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough

rock

2 of 3

verb

ˈräk 

1

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sway
• lurch
• shake
• roll
• toss
• jerk
• halt
• vibrate
• wobble
• tumble
• wabble
• careen
• pitch
• seesaw
• weave
• falter
• stumble
• reel
• flounder
• toddle
• totter
• stagger
• vacillate
• waddle
• hobble
• waver
• buck
• blunder
• jolt
• hitch
• undulate
• oscillate
• teeter
• wag
• dodder
• waggle

2

as in to shake

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

• shake
• falter
• wobble
• tremble
• vibrate
• shudder
• totter
• wabble
• lurch
• waver
• quiver
• quake
• stumble
• flounder
• teeter
• toddle
• reel
• stagger
• weave
• quaver
• careen

3

as in to stun

to make senseless or dizzy by a blow

she rocked the mugger with a single punch and then ran

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stun
• daze
• paralyze
• hit
• punch
• strike
• slam
• knock silly
• smack
• knock out
• slap
• rap
• pound
• knock for a loop
• bop
• bang
• belt
• sock
• hammer
• whack
• thump
• slug
• numb
• chop
• clock
• deaden
• beat
• bash
• bludgeon
• stupefy
• pummel
• knock down
• whale
• thwack
• benumb
• clobber
• batter
• smite
• clout
• buffet
• pelt
• cuff
• bonk
• maul
• paste
• swat
• bowl over
• mangle
• wallop
• bung
• drub

4

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• stun
• shock
• amaze
• startle
• astonish
• dumfound
• thunderstrike
• take aback
• floor
• take by surprise
• surprize
• bowl over
• dumbfound
• stupefy
• astound
• flabbergast
• blow away
• shake up
• jar
• blindside
• daze
• perplex
• muddle
• disconcert
• bewilder
• befuddle
• nonplus
• knock for a loop
• dismay
• confuse
• confound
• discomfit

rock

3 of 3

adjective

as in rocklike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rocklike
• adamantine
• compacted
• compressed
• substantial
• condensed
• sound
• indurated
• hardened
• resistant
• sturdy
• tempered
• stiffened
• tough
• solid
• strong
• unyielding
• rigid
• crush-proof
• inelastic
• unbending
• case-hardened
• inflexible
• stiff
• tense
• firm
• hard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soft
• spongy
• mushy
• flabby
• squishy
• pulpy
• fleshy
• squashy
• doughy
• squooshy
• floppy
• slack
• limp
• flaccid
• yielding
• lank
• droopy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rock different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rock are agitate, convulse, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When could agitate be used to replace rock?

The synonyms agitate and rock are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

Where would convulse be a reasonable alternative to rock?

In some situations, the words convulse and rock are roughly equivalent. However, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When is it sensible to use shake instead of rock?

The meanings of shake and rock largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rock

Noun

Players acquire them by drilling through rock and defeating enemies, leveling him up with skill points. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025

During fall, the trees lining the rocks create a postcard-worthy backdrop. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

Not a minute ticked by before another gobble rocked the morning tranquility. —Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025

This isn't Zendaya's first foray into pixies—in 2016, the star rocked a golden blonde crop. —Katharina Fuchs, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing rock

• rock bottom