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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
as in rocklike
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 rock
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 July 2025
Headlined by Hozier, Fall Out Boy and Green Day, the festival (which despite its name has nothing to do with yacht rock) is promoted by C3 Presents, an Austin, Texas, company that’s also behind Austin City Limits Music Festival, Voodoo Music + Arts Experience and the modern-day Lollapalooza.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 July 2025
Human rights groups have called for restraint among police officers as waves of protests have rocked Kenya in recent weeks.
—Nicholas Komu, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Verb
The band is rounded out by true-blue musicians Carlos O’Connell (the guitarist for Irish rock band Fontaines D.C.) on bass and David Ashby (frontman of local London band Sleaze, who in fact first introduced Felber to The Ivy House) on keys.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 July 2025
Headlined by Hozier, Fall Out Boy and Green Day, the festival (which despite its name has nothing to do with yacht rock) is promoted by C3 Presents, an Austin, Texas, company that’s also behind Austin City Limits Music Festival, Voodoo Music + Arts Experience and the modern-day Lollapalooza.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
Adjective
In his own signature no-nonsense style, Osbourne was defiant about his desire to keep rocking, despite his challenges.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 July 2025
Human rights groups have called for restraint among police officers as waves of protests have rocked Kenya in recent weeks.
—Nicholas Komu, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
-
Now’s your chance to save on all sorts of smart home improvement gems—no coupon needed.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
8 July 2025
-
Perfect for those who want a Yosemite vista without the more strenuous hikes, Artist Point is an accessible gem that never disappoints.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Adding China as an intermediary during negotiations, however, might sway the outcome of current and ongoing diplomatic discussions.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Ninety One’s analysis did nonetheless find a pick-up in sentiment toward U.K. businesses after years of selling pressure from active funds swayed by macro concerns.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The Princess of Wales also stunned in a gold cape dress for the No Time to Die James Bond premiere in 2021 and for a 2023 State Visit by the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Meta Platforms, under the leadership of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has ignited a fierce battle for artificial intelligence (AI) talent, offering compensation packages that have stunned Silicon Valley and the global tech industry.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Frantic runs burst through the music, while the last movement surprises with its sudden force.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
-
Customers in New York City, Green Bay and Austin, Texas, might even be surprised with a free lip balm duo at their local cafe, Panera said.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
However, the jewel of the hotel is its shimmering heated saltwater pool.—
Regan Stephens,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
-
Kardashian's jewels also featured two Lorraine Schwartz necklaces with approximately 250 carats of diamonds.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
With the stunning reemergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic socialists in the New York City mayor’s election, the Democratic Party is lurching even further to the left, leaving them even more alienated and out of touch.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
26 June 2025
-
The Taxpayers can lurch from old-school punk into pop, ballad and experimental territories.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Skills Even with the best tools, untrained teams falter.—
Saby Waraich,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Most of the recent job growth was in health care, social assistance, leisure and hospitality, a red flag that overall job growth may falter in the coming months.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share