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 amazed
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rocked
The murder, which rocked the quiet neighborhood and haunted those who loved Leslie, remained unsolved for over two decades.
—
Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Once again, a shooting with multiple victims has rocked Colorado – this time at a high school in Evergreen.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Two key figures in the Iran-Contra affair quietly married last month, nearly 40 years after the scandal rocked US politics and President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Their incredibly close relationship is rocked when Daniel meets the human version of an earthquake, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), an intoxicating and status-hungry real estate agent.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Like many other fashion brands, Cefinn was also rocked by the closure of one of its biggest clients, Matches, in early 2024.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Nepal has been rocked over the past two days by deadly protests led by young people who are frustrated with the country's unemployment rate and wealth gap.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Then, just hours later, gunfire rang out outside the church near Annunciation Catholic School – an attack that rocked an already reeling community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Once again, a shooting with multiple victims has rocked Colorado – this time at a high school in Evergreen.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Two key figures in the Iran-Contra affair quietly married last month, nearly 40 years after the scandal rocked US politics and President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Their incredibly close relationship is rocked when Daniel meets the human version of an earthquake, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), an intoxicating and status-hungry real estate agent.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Like many other fashion brands, Cefinn was also rocked by the closure of one of its biggest clients, Matches, in early 2024.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Nepal has been rocked over the past two days by deadly protests led by young people who are frustrated with the country's unemployment rate and wealth gap.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Then, just hours later, gunfire rang out outside the church near Annunciation Catholic School – an attack that rocked an already reeling community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rocked
Verb
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Stripped of a reliable majority, Macron's governments have lurched from one showdown to the next.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hopes of a rail revolution that three years ago was poised to transform connectivity between major cities seem to have faltered.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The New England Patriots faltered in the second half to start the Mike Vrabel era with a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Twenty years ago this month, UCD stunned FBS-level Stanford with a late winning drive on the road in one of the great moments in program history.—
Joe Davidosn,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Chili’s has stunned the market with same-store sales surging 24% and its parent’s stock climbing 300% over the past three years.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This ensures our advice is unbiased and always in our clients’ best interest, not swayed by potential commissions or emotional market reactions.—
Gabriel Shahin,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Nor was the judge swayed by prosecutors’ arguments that Fernandes Anderson’s actions since her arrest and federal indictment last December, conviction in May, and resignation in July, were indicative of a lack of proper remorse on the former councilor’s part.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After a while, the lady shook her head.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter about 6 miles south-southeast of Pinnacles.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video from the scene soon after the attack showed numerous children wandering dazed, covered in blood and dust.—
Mahmoud Atef,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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The boys are dazed, walking, stumbling, weaving, looking around in shock.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lead prosecutor Georgia Cappleman told reporters after the trial ended Thursday night that she was surprised by the decision but understood it.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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But in an Economist profile on the Arizona expansion, TSMC CFO Wendell Huang said he was surprised by America’s onerous and lengthy permitting process compared to that of Taiwan.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rocked. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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