rock 1 of 3

noun

Definition of rocknext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rock

2 of 3

verb

ˈräk How to pronounce rock (audio)
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

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3
as in to stun
to make senseless or dizzy by a blow she rocked the mugger with a single punch and then ran

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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

rock

3 of 3

adjective

as in rocklike

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Dissimilar Words

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

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
Noun
At around 5 kilometers depth, melt fractions exceeded 30 percent by volume—well past the point where rock can hold together as a coherent slab. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 5 July 2026 From otherworldly red rocks to fossil beds and alpine lakes, Nevada’s state parks offer adventures far beyond the Las Vegas Strip. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Verb
The intensely private Korean shipping tycoon rocked the tanker industry early this year as his Sinokor Group embarked on an unprecedented buying spree. — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026 France rocked New Zealand with a try by Damien Penaud after two minutes in a movement which led to a yellow card for new All Blacks flyhalf Ruben Love. — ABC News, 4 July 2026
Adjective
An old soul with with a huge, commanding voice, his catalog hovers between the orchestral swoon of pre-rock ballads, the pristine melodies of Anita Baker and the rangy, resilient yearning of his hometown’s soul tradition. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 As the quartet builds toward a post-rock crescendo and a wistful, snowcapped outro that’s lightly accompanied by the sound of children on a playground, Kinsella and his bandmates spin the narrative in a kaleidoscopic language all their own. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
  1. gem
  2. sway
  3. shake
  4. stun
  5. surprise
  6. adamantine
  7. jewel
  8. lurch
Noun
  • On the New Jersey artist’s debut album, a steady stream of screwball ideas coalesce into unexpectedly existential laptop twee gems.
    — Nick Ayres DeMasi, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • The design features an array of glittery gems across the straps.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
Definition of gem
Verb
  • Some gold ETFs directly invest in bullion kept in vaults, while others invest in shares of mining companies that tend to follow the price of gold while also being swayed by the companies' management decisions, efficiency and financials.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • Socially aware quasi-outsider Dustin (Zac Looker) will take a second longer to sway.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • The iconic bunny costume moment, when Elle is tricked into showing up to a non-costume party wearing a Playboy bunny get-up, was the catalyst for exploring how Elle was able to shake that humiliation off.
    — Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
  • This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The unusual attack Monday night stunned the elite principality on the Mediterranean Coast.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • The South American side stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 following extra time on Monday, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Definition of stun
Verb
  • But perhaps Modrić and Croatia can surprise everyone and make one more run.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Ahead of the film’s world premiere at Karlovy Vary, Mack talked to THR about the inspiration for A Happy Family, wanting to surprise audiences and create debate, and why complexity and hope are such key ingredients.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Definition of surprise
Adjective
  • During Vargas Llosa’s lifetime, his political beliefs underwent extreme changes, from supporting Castro’s revolutionary Communism to championing traditional European liberalism, which included an adamantine belief in unregulated markets.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Image My first collision with the adamantine wall of Vivamayr house rules coincided with my arrival.
    — Caity Weaver, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Definition of adamantine
Noun
  • Aerospace was the crown jewel inside Honeywell and the primary reason many investors owned shares in the conglomerate.
    — Jeff Marks,Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Earlier in the year that jewel grew significantly in size and scope to include the OMNIA Dayclub & Skybar.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of jewel
Verb
  • Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter.
    — Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of lurch

Phrases Containing rock

Browse Nearby Words

robustness
rock
rockaway
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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rock

Nglish: Translation of rock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rock

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