: 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
The most shocking thing, though?
—
Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The moment went viral, and the ensuing backlash ignited public debate about Tourette syndrome and its most shocking symptom.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Huw Edwards with Martin Clunes, and the case of Tracie Andrews, who claimed her fiance had been killed in a shocking road rage attack but was accused of murdering him.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
February incident was ‘truly shocking’ AFSCME Local 3299 has been out of a contract with the university system for over a year.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
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Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
The moment went viral, and the ensuing backlash ignited public debate about Tourette syndrome and its most shocking symptom.
—Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Huw Edwards with Martin Clunes, and the case of Tracie Andrews, who claimed her fiance had been killed in a shocking road rage attack but was accused of murdering him.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
February incident was ‘truly shocking’ AFSCME Local 3299 has been out of a contract with the university system for over a year.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
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