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shock

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word shock different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shock are collision, concussion, and impact. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

When can collision be used instead of shock?

In some situations, the words collision and shock are roughly equivalent. However, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

Where would concussion be a reasonable alternative to shock?

The synonyms concussion and shock are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is impact a more appropriate choice than shock?

The words impact and shock can be used in similar contexts, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of shock
Noun
While the Giants being 0-2 isn't a huge shock to NFL fans, the fact the Chiefs are off to a 0-2 start is definitely a shock. Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 Their lightweight construction and shock absorption keep you light on your feet, and the deep heel cup offers continued stability. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
An emphatic win by the desperate, winless Texans (0-3) wouldn't shock me. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025 While Kyung-sun had somehow already guessed at her roomie’s illicit affair, she is shocked into sympathy upon learning of her abandonment while pregnant. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
  • The collision of these two worlds has presented problems for both Brady and the league.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • With every collision, more space debris is generated, and the likelihood of further collisions increases exponentially.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Numerous Hollywood publicists, producers, media executives who spoke with CNN on Wednesday evening expressed their astonishment over the suspension.
    Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Rapace’s response externalizes four different beats, from a snort to a tear, astonishment to anger.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Reeve wasn’t surprised by Phoenix’s effort coming out of the halftime locker room.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Respecting the medium often surprises me with the most rewarding outcomes.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rats, also dislike the acidic odor in vinegar, and ammonia smells similar to predator urine, which can scare them away.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Kimmel suspension should scare you Who will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel's first show back?
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Trump gets his headlines, and inflicts a jolt of panic, and doesn't care whether this survives first contact with the courts.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The analyst community believes the launch of NikeSkims may be just the jolt the sports brand needs to fuel its restructuring.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Here fans of thrifting and the Starfield game shared their amazement.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many of the people who commented on the amendment said they were appalled by O’Hare’s cuts to the Democrats’ budgets.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Yet her book, first published as Sursis pour l’Orchestre, translated as The Musicians of Auschwitz, was a novelized and sensational account which appalled almost all the other members of the ragtag band.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.
    Eitan Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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