shocking

1 of 2

adjective

shock·​ing ˈshä-kiŋ 

: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive

shocking news

shockingly

ˈshä-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

shocking

2 of 2

present participle of shock entry 2, shock entry 6

Synonyms of shocking

Adjective

• startling
• surprising
• amazing
• stunning
• astonishing

Examples of shocking in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

But the most shocking win was, of course, UMass’ 37-21 victory at Rutgers, ending a 16-game losing streak and 23-game Football Bowl Subdivision losing streak. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The hospital – Mount Sinai Medical Center – is still counting the dead from the shocking increase in people now dying from toxins released in the Twin Towers collapse. — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Sandusky’s trial produced shocking testimony from other victims The shadow of Penn State’s influence in this borough in the center of the commonwealth continues to hang over the case. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

And the balance of power within the two top conferences might have shifted, unexpectedly, after some shocking performances, both good and bad. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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