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

And the tutorials explain that withdrawals after age 18 but before age 59½ that aren’t for eligible expenses incur a 10 percent penalty, which might help make learning about the IRA rules less shocking for young people later on. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Unfortunately, what seemed poised to be a magical run deep into the tournament came to a shocking end against Belgium. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Henry recently made headlines after suffering a shocking fall during the 2025 Miss Universe pageant. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy. — Literary Hub, 17 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