1
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things
the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in astonishment
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
were in shock after they heard the news of the death of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to appal
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
Mom was shocked by the terrible news that her cousin had died in an accident I was shocked to find out that I was the victim of identity theft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to surprise
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
were shocked by the way the law against public intoxication was constantly being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to scare
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shock
Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
That will lessen the shock to your system.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025
Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The Florida family of a man who was recently was deported to Venezuela despite having TPS at the time said they were shocked by the ruling and afraid they could be detained and deported at any time.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
That will lessen the shock to your system.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Brewers trounced the Cubs in Game 1, while the Dodgers, came back and shocked the Phillies in their first game.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The Florida family of a man who was recently was deported to Venezuela despite having TPS at the time said they were shocked by the ruling and afraid they could be detained and deported at any time.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
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This is a novel and compelling scenario and offers a refreshing alternative to collisions from interplanetary interlopers explaining the destruction of a former Saturnian moon.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
-
As the number of satellites in orbit grows, particularly from mega-constellations, the risk of collisions and debris fallout is increasing.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many people who knew Mamdani before his run for mayor confessed to some astonishment at the success of his campaign.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
-
There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bad Bunny’s booking for Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February, didn’t surprise anyone familiar with his music.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
For last year's celebration, Nathan Lane surprised Behar on the show with a pizza deliveryman stripper in honor of the occasion.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nice to know there’s stuff that scares him.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something about kidnapping that scares the fear out of you, Goldberg-Polin says.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Seiya Suzuki's three-run home run in the top of the first inning gave Chicago a huge early jolt in its quest to even the series with the rival Milwaukee Brewers at a game apiece.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Diaz is a jolt of electricity that has charged that group to a frenetic level.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To Steve’s amazement, the bear suddenly dropped to all fours and stepped backward – five or 10 yards into the alders and willows.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Through it all, your professionalism, determination, dedication, and spirit of collaboration have inspired me and amazed me time and time again.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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