shocking

adjective

shock·​ing ˈshä-kiŋ How to pronounce shocking (audio)
: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
shockingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025 What’s shocking today feels routine tomorrow, and by then the guardrails are already gone. Aron Solomon september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 Gardner’s departure will likely be the most shocking to casual fans of the show and represents arguably the largest shake-up. Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Before these two teams take the field, one analyst has a shocking request for the defending champions. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shocking

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shocking was in 1653

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocking. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

shocking

adjective
shock·​ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
shockingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on shocking

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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