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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shell-shocked
In December 2023, content creator Harinder Singh claimed to have spoken to Webb's older brother, Kayden, who allegedly said that Ryker was healthy and safe, but that he'd been traumatized and shell-shocked during the immediate aftermath of the incident.
—
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The former was shell-shocked by one of the worst offensive lines imaginable in 2021 and eventually flat-lined.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Quarterback Ty Simpson, who looked a little shell-shocked in Tallahassee, has looked much more comfortable throwing the ball.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Global investors were shell-shocked on Tuesday after President Donald Trump struck another blow at the Federal Reserve's independence, caught between the concerns over politicisation of policy and the payoffs for markets.
—Kevin Buckland, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
That likability should help appease an employee base which has become shell-shocked with cuts and layoffs over decades of mergers.
—Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
After four years of heavy subsidies and easing of permitting restrictions under the Biden presidency, those industries must be feeling a bit shell-shocked over the steady stream of bad news coming at them from Washington, DC since January 20.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
McCartney added, still visibly amused and a bit shell-shocked at their Ed Sullivan Show-era American reception.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
But what left investors shell-shocked was third quarter guidance that pegged revenues to be down 9 percent to 11 percent.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The former was shell-shocked by one of the worst offensive lines imaginable in 2021 and eventually flat-lined.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Quarterback Ty Simpson, who looked a little shell-shocked in Tallahassee, has looked much more comfortable throwing the ball.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Global investors were shell-shocked on Tuesday after President Donald Trump struck another blow at the Federal Reserve's independence, caught between the concerns over politicisation of policy and the payoffs for markets.
—Kevin Buckland, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
That likability should help appease an employee base which has become shell-shocked with cuts and layoffs over decades of mergers.
—Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
After four years of heavy subsidies and easing of permitting restrictions under the Biden presidency, those industries must be feeling a bit shell-shocked over the steady stream of bad news coming at them from Washington, DC since January 20.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
McCartney added, still visibly amused and a bit shell-shocked at their Ed Sullivan Show-era American reception.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
But what left investors shell-shocked was third quarter guidance that pegged revenues to be down 9 percent to 11 percent.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell-shocked
Adjective
-
The formula tackles a stressed barrier with the brand’s proprietary amino acid blend to reduce redness and minimize irritation while boosting hydration.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Byrne smiled through tears in an acceptance speech that included effusive praise for writer-director Mary Bronstein, who cast her as the very stressed-out mother in the psychological comedy-drama.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But plenty of people tell of being left dazed and destabilized by ayahuasca ceremonies and struggling to return to their previous lives; some make sudden life changes that only bring distress and further trauma.—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The slightly dazed look of someone who has just emerged from an eight-hour surgery.—
Matthew Kayser,
Ascend Agency,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Goedert scored his second touchdown on a fourth-and-2 leaving a confused Malik Mustapha behind him in the left flat.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Yet many of its citizens feel both whiplashed and confused.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The children watched in stunned silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Payton went to a podium in street clothes, told reporters Nix was out for the season with a fractured ankle, and the Broncos’ locker room came away as stunned as the rest of the world.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the impacts of the terminations was that instead of guiding my lab towards the studies to prevent or treat cancer, I’ve been extremely distracted by efforts to try to raise money to support the lab.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
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Many people are just so distracted by their screens and scrolling they nosh at a faster pace.—
Jamie Friedlander Serrano,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shell-shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell-shocked. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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