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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of shock
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
/ 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
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
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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