1
as in swaying
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 wobbling
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 stunning
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 amazing
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 rocking
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Jeff Goldblum, Oscar Isaac, and Jacob Elordi pulled out different iterations of the Tank, while Paul Mescal gave us a blast from the horological past by rocking a vintage Gondole.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
The Ralph was just rocking tonight.
—Brad Elliott Schlossman, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
It’s made of durable iron with a heat-resistant copper finish and has extra-thick legs that prevent it from rocking on unlevel ground.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The Love Lies Bleeding actress embraced Barbie-core for her red carpet moment at Cannes, rocking a pink tweed Chanel short suit attached to a flowing tulle skirt and pastel-pink heels.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
It’s designed to detect your baby’s cries and automatically responds by gently rocking them to white noise and motion—a win for baby, and for mom.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
Everyone pulled up to the party in cowboy attire, with Drake rocking denim jeans and a top covered by a black puffer vest.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan’s greatness has permeated every sport, with baseball players like Jazz Chisholm, football players like Jalen Hurts of the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles, to soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain rocking the Jumpman.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The rest of the quintet — vocalist Dexter Holland, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn — then joined in for a rocking (yet, sadly, abbreviated) take on that same album’s legendary title track.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Vikings, coming off a bye, will keep rocking with Carson Wentz (in a revenge game opportunitythis week).
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Jeff Goldblum, Oscar Isaac, and Jacob Elordi pulled out different iterations of the Tank, while Paul Mescal gave us a blast from the horological past by rocking a vintage Gondole.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025
The Ralph was just rocking tonight.
—Brad Elliott Schlossman, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
It’s made of durable iron with a heat-resistant copper finish and has extra-thick legs that prevent it from rocking on unlevel ground.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The Love Lies Bleeding actress embraced Barbie-core for her red carpet moment at Cannes, rocking a pink tweed Chanel short suit attached to a flowing tulle skirt and pastel-pink heels.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
It’s designed to detect your baby’s cries and automatically responds by gently rocking them to white noise and motion—a win for baby, and for mom.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
Everyone pulled up to the party in cowboy attire, with Drake rocking denim jeans and a top covered by a black puffer vest.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan’s greatness has permeated every sport, with baseball players like Jazz Chisholm, football players like Jalen Hurts of the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles, to soccer clubs like Paris Saint-Germain rocking the Jumpman.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocking
Verb
-
Think endless beaches, warm breezes, swaying palm trees, and sunny skies.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Ever since, the Chiefs’ receivers have paid tribute to him after their own receptions, swaying their hands while mimicking his original move.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An internal compression pad and multiple pockets help maximize packing space in this lightweight spinner, which is crafted from water-repellent nylon and boasts a proprietary stabilizer to prevent wobbling.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Think polarization, geopolitical instability, a lot of things that just have people wobbling right now.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The administration’s lurching one way and another with tariffs is another example.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The title track opens the affair by lurching and creeping forward for ten minutes with odd, off-putting lyrics.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Among seismic sports television changes during the past 50 years, the NBA’s new media rights deal, one that officially begins this week, isn’t quite as earth-shaking as CBS losing the NFL to Fox in 1994 or ABC losing Monday Night Football in 2005.—
Barry Jackson
Updated October 21,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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The post shows video footage of the dog barking and shaking as floodwaters reached the dog's chest.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lost in the trembling of my own body, trembling like Bunny’s body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Conrad recalled that the two had a spat that had been resolved before cameras began rolling, but claimed that the producers fueled a narrative to pit them against each other.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The duo was getting into character in the practice studio, as Bersten shared a video rolling the actress, who was holding a broomstick, across the dance floor.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After faltering in the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Wilson and the Aces capped off a dominant postseason run Friday by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 win.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Oct. 2025
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History will probably remember this Ravens team for faltering because of injuries, namely to their starting quarterback.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Going Solo, surprising his daughters and fans Of course, the girls are the Jonas Brothers and Kevin’s biggest fans.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Fallon ended the chat by surprising the trio with the presentation of the platinum plaque for the movie’s soundtrack.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocking. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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