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
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 June 2025
The majority of those injured at Soroka were hurt while seeking shelter or suffered from shock.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said in a phone call May 5 that the actions taken over the weekend by authorities shocked her.
—Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
Mitchell’s appointment had come as a shock to Eddie Howe, who received little advance notice, and there was immediate pressure on the sporting director to deliver signings after arriving midway through a transfer window.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 June 2025
The majority of those injured at Soroka were hurt while seeking shelter or suffered from shock.
—Amanda Castro
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Verb
Hamilton County commissioners expect to learn more Tuesday about the police response to the white supremacist rally that shocked the region and put the communities of Lincoln Heights and Evendale on edge.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said in a phone call May 5 that the actions taken over the weekend by authorities shocked her.
—Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
-
The force of the collision pushed the Volt into a Mercedes-Benz that was also at the stop sign.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
More buggies ended up on their sides or backs, the result of collisions or bad landings in the whoops section.—
William Liang,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Jude Bellingham trotted over in his flip-flops in astonishment to congratulate Courtois before the two embraced, but no one was more pleased to see his goalkeeper come to the rescue than Alonso, who was asked what was going through his mind as Sabitzer’s effort headed towards goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
Johansson even joked in her musical monologue that castmember Sarah Sherman was leaving, to Sherman's mock astonishment.—
Eric Deggans,
NPR,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Frantic runs burst through the music, while the last movement surprises with its sudden force.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
-
Customers in New York City, Green Bay and Austin, Texas, might even be surprised with a free lip balm duo at their local cafe, Panera said.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, rising authoritarianism, shifting national alliances and economic jolts unsettled the world.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
3 July 2025
-
Supply and demand jolts amid the COVID-19 pandemic have also shaken markets.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
On the eve of Lionel Messi’s 38th birthday, more than 60,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium watched in amazement as his Inter Miami team took a 2-0 lead on Brazilian great Palmeiras, and then held their breath as Palmeiras tied it 2-2 in an entertaining Club World Cup match.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
-
Much to their amazement, both pregnancies progressed healthily, and the couple ultimately welcomed two babies, born 17 weeks apart.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Spielberg imagined it as a noise that has the power to appall.—
David Denby,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
-
Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This creator, in the true sense of the word, adds a touch here and there, drapes or lets fall the folds of a cape or a huge collar, borrows from all the epochs of fashion and interprets them all, and in the sum total, never fails to amaze us with his exquisite audacity.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
-
The Teton Range, covered in powder, amazes as far as the eye can see.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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