: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
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
But inappropriate behavior toward and with subordinates is too often not a shocking secret within the halls of Congress.
—
Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The shocking killing came soon after Fairfax was served with papers in the case, Davis said.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’ Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
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Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The shocking killing came soon after Fairfax was served with papers in the case, Davis said.
—Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’ Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocking. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
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