shell-shocked

adjective

ˈshel-ˌshäkt How to pronounce shell-shocked (audio)
Definition of shell-shockednext
1
as in stressed
suffering from high levels of physical and especially psychological stress even after the long furlough, the returning soldiers still felt a little shell-shocked

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion shell-shocked survivors who were in dire need of every kind of help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shell-shocked Then, carbon-copy goals from Brittany Ratcliffe and Madison Mercado — who got on the end of crosses whipped in by Sofia Huerta in the 26th and 33rd minutes — saw the Current shell-shocked down 3-0 in the 33rd minute. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026 At halftime, as Duke’s players tersely ran back to the locker room with Siena ahead 43-32, the Blue Devils — and their extended traveling party — were shell-shocked. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026 At halftime of Wednesday night’s game against Villanova at Finneran Pavilion, the UConn women’s basketball team looked shell-shocked. — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026 Despite being billed as the head and heart of the new and improved Tender, Henry actually freezes in the meeting with the regulator, shell-shocked by a single reference to his failure at Lumi. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell-shocked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell-shocked
  1. stressed
  2. dazed
  3. bewildered
  4. confused
  5. stunned
  6. distracted
Adjective
  • For certain diseases, psychedelics appear to combat inflammation and even help restore stressed mitochondria, the energy-producing factories of the cells.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, cleanse with something that’s very gentle to soothe stressed skin and apply a lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer after.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of stressed
Adjective
  • But the man simply stood there with a dazed expression on his face, swaying gently in the living room of their small, cramped flat, like a lone tree in the breeze.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Laiken Randolph appeared dazed, and possibly on drugs, officers remarked.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of dazed
Adjective
  • They were soon surrounded by a crowd of about 1,000 bewildered villagers, who alerted forest officials patrolling nearby.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What appears before the bewildered trio is a boy with a face resembling a frog’s, named Fūsuke.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of confused thinking about this at campuses across the country.
    — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The long road ahead After being charged with murder on Friday, Francis, dressed in a white Tyvek suit and appearing confused at court, said nothing as she was ordered held without bail for her daughter’s death.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • In front of a stunned Dodgers Stadium, the Brewers fought back on Thursday from an early 4-0 deficit.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • It was released as the third of the three-pack of new albums Drake dropped to stunned audiences this May.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • The operation then went city-wide and focused on speeding, distracted driving, pedestrian and bicycle-related violations, as well as unsafe movements and right-of-way violations.
    — Coleman Petit, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The invention’s intent was to cut down on distracted driving — in addition to the frustration of digging around under filthy car seats.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of distracted

Browse Nearby Words

shells
shell-shocked
shells out
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Cite this Entry

“Shell-shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell-shocked. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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