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

The catch — which Barnett made while closely guarded by safety Taylor Davis — plus the extra point gave the Knights the shocking victory. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

Take two guys, give them uproariously funny dialogue that splits the middle between Harold Pinter and David Mamet, add in few dashes of shocking violence, and let everything reach a full boil. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026

Picture windows dominate the 30 ample rooms, which are pleasingly clad in unfinished wood and shocking splashes of lime. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

That was so shocking; whoever was manning the CW's scorebug thought the kick was as good as gold and hung three points on the board. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 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