culture shock

noun

: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation

Examples of culture shock in a Sentence

Foreign students often experience culture shock when they first come to the U.S. Moving to the city was a huge culture shock for him.
Recent Examples on the Web Some have described struggling with culture shock, loneliness, unemployment or poor working conditions – and hostility from South Koreans, especially in recent years as North Korea has ratcheted up tensions with its neighbor. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 During their visit, Perry, 39, and Richie, 74, experience a bit of a culture shock. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 Hearing her talk about not having enough food or not feeling safe was a serious culture shock. Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Still, the change in scenery can definitely come as a culture shock. David Martindale, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 As its domestic workers are tasked with more intensive labor for lower pay, their Chinese employers experience culture shock while adjusting to the American way of life. Kevin Jacobsen and Diedre Johnson, EW.com, 20 Sep. 2023 For Alexandra Hudson, working in Washington, D.C., was a culture shock. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2023 Experts say reasons such as culture shock, inequitable access to social services, or financial situations can be contributing factors. Anna Guaracao, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023 Experiencing culture shock First-gen students will also have to prepare for culture shock. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'culture shock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of culture shock was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near culture shock

Cite this Entry

“Culture shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture%20shock. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

culture shock

noun
: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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