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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
The Sweden international’s exit was a shock to everyone, including her Barca team-mates at the European Championship with Spain, who only found out after their 6-2 win against Belgium. Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 11 July 2025 From therapeutic complexity, FDA regulatory policy changes, geopolitical shocks and an AI race, life sciences supply chain leaders are forced to rewrite their playbook to stay relevant in the era of AI. Mike Walker, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
Amanda Anisimova ousted the world's No. 1 female tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, on Thursday in the Wimbledon semi-finals — shocking the sports world as the American moves onto the finals. / Cbs News, CBS News, 10 July 2025 In the 1970s, audiences were becoming harder to shock, but the black comedy A Boy and His Dog (1975) did just that, and became a cult film. Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
  • Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, police said.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
  • This shape is thought to have arisen because the Infinity Galaxy was formed as two disk galaxies engaged in a head-on collision.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 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
  • In early May 2025, oil briefly hit its lowest price in four years after OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) surprised the market with an accelerated output hike for the summer, a move Trump himself had previously called for.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • Leafing through notes, photographs and manuscripts, Barnes also experienced a jolt of nostalgia for the tactual nature of objects.
    Brian Schaefer July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • The bravura sequence gets a fresh jolt when Nile abandons her lookout vessel and makes a spectacular entrance.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The proud dad shared an adorable new photo with their little one on Instagram Wednesday, July 3 On Wednesday, July 2, Irwin's husband, Chandler Powell, 28, shared an adorable Instagram photo of Grace Warrior Irwin Powell staring in amazement at a rainbow.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • Others shared their amazement at the animals captured on the video.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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