shocking

adjective

shock·​ing ˈshä-kiŋ 

: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive

shocking news

shockingly

ˈshä-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of shocking

• startling
• surprising
• amazing
• stunning
• astonishing

Examples of shocking in a Sentence

The number of young teenagers who smoke is shocking.

a shocking waste of money

The building is in a shocking state.

Recent Examples on the Web

That hasn’t stopped teams from making shocking moves to improve their rosters. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Don’t be fooled by their shocking price point—the bottoms have an expensive air thanks to their chic statement pockets and effortless wide-leg silhouette. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Little Liars, like Gossip Girl, is based on a best-selling book series, so some of the crazy plot points and disturbing reveals shouldn’t have been that shocking. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 July 2026

Honesty is necessary, but using shocking information as leverage will only intensify the issue. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shocking

• shocking pink

Rhymes for shocking

• blocking
• calking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking

Kids Definition

shocking

adjective

shock·​ing

: causing horror or disgust

a shocking crime

shocking behavior

shockingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb