rock 1 of 3

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

1
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
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rock

3 of 3

adjective

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
Ema escapes by hitting Marcos on the head with a rock, and manages to walk to her phone and start a live broadcast on social media, revealing everything. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 26 Mar. 2025 After such a long time in the very difficult environment of nature, the bodies have already disappeared, become rock, become mud. David Opie, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
In addition to rocking, out, Clarkson also made some dreams come true for her old friend Tanner Smith from the Netflix dating show Love on the Spectrum, which chronicles the dating lives of autistic adults. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025 Nicholas Galitzine rocked a very buff physique training to be He-Man, and director Travis Knight showcased many of the colorful heroes and villains, including Jared Leto as the evil Skeletor. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
  • Among the millions of film and video works collected within the world’s archives, there exists an unseen tapestry of remarkable, astonishing and often unseen gems found on a multitude of sources—film and video formats of all shapes and sizes.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2025
  • One of these modernist gems just popped up for sale on the suburban outskirts of Los Angeles, in the quaint village of Sierra Madre.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Science fiction becomes a shopping reality: Gen AI tools are replacing search engines; social media platforms are becoming purchase powerhouses; and influencers—ordinary people in almost every conceivable way—now have epic reach and sway.
    Lindsey Mazza, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Organizers hope the nationwide protests will sway lawmakers on issues such as voting rights, social services, and economic policy.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the past, Boston has been able to shake off adversity and remain successful.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • New tariffs take effect this week upending global alliances, shaking business and consumer confidence, and rattling the markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On March 14, Parton surprised fans by appearing at Dollywood's Celebrity Theater in honor of Dollywood’s 40th anniversary.
    Elizabeth Stanton, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • During a press conference on Thursday (Apr. 3), Raleigh festival organizers surprised fans by revealing that Dreamville Fest will return in the future under a new iteration.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn's Treasure, all three episodes of which are now streaming, chronicles the true story behind the decade-long search for a treasure chest filled with over $1 million worth of gold, jewels, and other valuables hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The rare things in life aren't just a rare watches or rare jewels.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the ruling did little to herald any political stability in the country, which has lurched from crisis to crisis.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For the last six weeks, Americans have been yanked and ghosted, lurched and launched with a merciless urgency.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The New York Yankees are reeling from injuries but still figure to be a tough opponent, and the Baltimore Orioles, coming off a strong regular season last year, still have something to prove after faltering in the playoffs.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Falling sales indicate that the company's financial health is fundamentally faltering as competitors are surging, particularly rival BYD.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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