1
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
we all clustered around to hear the shocking news of our colleague's sudden death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear
the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appalling
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
Mom was shocked by the terrible news that her cousin had died in an accident I was shocked to find out that I was the victim of identity theft
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surprising
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
were shocked by the way the law against public intoxication was constantly being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in frightening
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocking
James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
The final four minutes and 34 seconds then featured an absolutely shocking number of twists and turns.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Just one quick perusal of Corrin’s Instagram comments reveals shocking bigotry.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
Since then Brazil has stumbled on the international stage, only reaching the semifinals once and that run ended with the shocking 7-1 defeat to the eventual champion German squad on home soil in 2014.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
The final four minutes and 34 seconds then featured an absolutely shocking number of twists and turns.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Verb
The Today show host came prepared with a beer in his suit jacket pocket, shocking his cohosts.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Just one quick perusal of Corrin’s Instagram comments reveals shocking bigotry.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
His recovery and startling physical transformation hardly a year after his injury became a frequent topic on social media.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
This is arguably a more startling possibility than the high concept at the film’s center, though it’s treated as secondary, not least because Abby’s own head hasn’t been in the game since losing her father Warren (David Starthairn) the year before.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The series follows the residents of a remote island town called Widow’s Bay, just off the coast of New England, that just so happens to be cursed and haunted with all manner of terrifying things.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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The premise sees the town’s citizens coming around a campfire and spilling the beans on some of most terrifying deeds.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
With its violent and disgusting script, Se7en defied Hollywood conventions and was a perfect match for David Fincher, who was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
The president announced the work in April during an unrelated Oval Office appearance, saying he was inspired by complaints from a friend visiting from Germany who called the pool dark and disgusting.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
This episode is both incredibly gruesome and incredibly funny, and the show maintains an excellent balance between the two extremes.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
On Monday evening, protesters burned down a bus as tensions rose in Belfast following the gruesome stabbing, despite earlier calls from authorities for calm.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Turns out, her body keeps surprising her.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
The pair’s secret romance was already woven into Season 1, surprising those who’ve read the source material since Allie and Dean are the focus of the third book in the series.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
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This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
My brother in-law was an incredible husband and an amazing father to their boys.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Give the audience this amazing look, but the music’s the thread of the whole thing.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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