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
Players acquire them by drilling through rock and defeating enemies, leveling him up with skill points. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 During fall, the trees lining the rocks create a postcard-worthy backdrop. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Not a minute ticked by before another gobble rocked the morning tranquility. Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025 This isn't Zendaya's first foray into pixies—in 2016, the star rocked a golden blonde crop. Katharina Fuchs, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
  • His biggest songs have included numerous motivational gems about getting back to the basics.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The allegation is that Wright and two older men went into Tokyo’s upmarket Harry Winston jewellery store, posing as customers, before one of them attacked a 47-year-old security guard and hammers were used to smash an octagonal glass display cabinet containing precious gems.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Combs’ defense team made arguments for delaying the trial up to two months, but the judge was not swayed.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Tribal dancers stomp and sway alongside breakdancers, all in one continuous shot that becomes an anachronistic continuum of Black musical expression across the ages.
    A.A. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The back-and-forth over tariffs shook confidence in U.S. leadership, exposed fractures within Trump’s team and rattled companies that rely on global sources for products and international customers for sales.
    Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump's punishing tariffs have shaken a global trading order that has persisted for decades, raised fears of recession, and driven worldwide stocks sharply downward.
    Joe Cash and Trevor Hunnicutt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 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
  • There were no big Heat rotation surprises to begin the postseason.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Vogue: What has surprised you most about your parenting journey?
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In Midtown’s southeasterly quadrant, the Fifth Avenue Hotel is the jewel of 28th St.
    Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In their new thriller Crime 101, an adaptation of the Don Winslow novella of the same name, Berry plays a weary insurance broker who gets involved in a multimillion-dollar heist led by a master jewel thief named Davis, portrayed by Hemsworth.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 5 Apr. 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
  • If the book falters, the production numbers – some based on famous Marilyn images and tropes, like the Seven Year Itch‘s subway grate scene, and the Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend bit – are suitably flashy.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Over that lengthy span, the set has rarely faltered.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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