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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shock
Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
But Goldilocks could be in for a shock before the end of the year, Mueller-Glissmann wrote.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The former Brighton and Chelsea manager then informed the players and said his farewells, with many of the squad shocked at the timing of the decision.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
Trujillo's death came as a shock to both the community and her family.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
But Goldilocks could be in for a shock before the end of the year, Mueller-Glissmann wrote.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jared Bernstein, a top economic adviser in the Biden White House, was shocked by the mass layoff threat.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The former Brighton and Chelsea manager then informed the players and said his farewells, with many of the squad shocked at the timing of the decision.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
-
Delta noted that a member of the cabin crew was injured, with ABC News detailing that they were hospitalized with a minor knee injury from the collision.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Some reports suggested that a wing on one of the aircraft had detached due to the collision.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv on Wednesday — contrasted with bitter dismissal and some mocking defiance in Moscow — after President Donald Trump said Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Numerous Hollywood publicists, producers, media executives who spoke with CNN on Wednesday evening expressed their astonishment over the suspension.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But what surprised me most about these curls was the stealthiness of the burn.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Three days later, the couple's friends surprised them with a celebratory wedding dinner.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The modus operandi generally involved either scaring a convenience store owner and fleeing with thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes, like one such incident at a 7-Eleven in Walnut Creek where masked men stole $8,000 in tobacco products, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
If someone unexpectedly opens the door to enter the room, a harsh alarm will sound to scare off the intruder—adding an extra layer beyond the hotel’s typical locks.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
An economic jolt could be felt in a matter of days.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To her amazement, the twins’ dad answered.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Here fans of thrifting and the Starfield game shared their amazement.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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