: 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
Their film investigates shocking conditions in Alabama’s state prisons and makes use of videos secretly recorded by some inmates.
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The 2026 Oscar nominations brought a ton of gasp-inducing moments—shocking inclusions, diabolical omissions, and plenty of tea leaves to read for awards season prognosticators.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
And now that he's learned the shocking truth about her death, her resurrection in the season 2 finale leaves the series hanging on an ominous note.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
In a dramatic departure from the book, the finale delivers a shocking twist.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
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Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The 2026 Oscar nominations brought a ton of gasp-inducing moments—shocking inclusions, diabolical omissions, and plenty of tea leaves to read for awards season prognosticators.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
And now that he's learned the shocking truth about her death, her resurrection in the season 2 finale leaves the series hanging on an ominous note.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
In a dramatic departure from the book, the finale delivers a shocking twist.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 21 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
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