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 appall
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
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
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 May 2026
There is no sharp shock in terms of plot here; if anything, the film hardly relies on it.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
As the cars headed into the final lap, Stonestreet told Mahomes to take his hands off the wheel, which shocked Bowyer.
—Lisa Gutierrez
may 21, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
After the initial jury votes were tallied, Dara was in shock but still managed to get a few jokes in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 May 2026
There is no sharp shock in terms of plot here; if anything, the film hardly relies on it.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Verb
The tragic event shocked and horrified people across the country and fundamentally changed the largely working-class Latino city.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
As the cars headed into the final lap, Stonestreet told Mahomes to take his hands off the wheel, which shocked Bowyer.
—Lisa Gutierrez
may 21, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
-
Domínguez has not played since May 7, when a scary collision into the left-field wall at Yankee Stadium left the 23-year-old with a left shoulder AC joint sprain.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
-
But the most worrisome aspect of any collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda is the supermassive black hole that lurks at the center of each.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
To her horrified astonishment, Miss Manners has received a number of letters reporting that guests are taking gross advantage of hospitality by cadging future meals.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
To many, weather is an inconvenience to be overcome rather than an ever-changing astonishment to be experienced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Some were appalled by the cynicism of the company’s pitch, others by its client list, which included indie artists whose popularity fans preferred to imagine had spread organically.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
His shocking appearance seemed to even surprise his castmates, who looked at him with wide eyes and open mouths.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
There’s deep, poetic honor in the grueling fight to rebuild a standard; to find the creative sparks and opportunism required to surprise the world again.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
That same year, Wait Until Dark scared me to death when bad guys terrorized a blind Audrey Hepburn.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
Jittery housemaid Miss Lamb (Thomasin McKenzie) proves less trouble to manage, as Fred scares the wits out of her with bogus talk of a ghoul wandering the Moors.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
For Riley, this was a jolt of illumination about the way the world viewed him—not as a child but as a suspect, a scammer in the making.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
Shot in Scope, filled with intimate closeups of the couple, the film lets the audience experience the same upsetting jolt as Gil over Jacques’ desire for control and toxic possessiveness.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Two years later — to my complete amazement — that idea has become a movement.—
Blake Crisses,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
-
To Nico’s amazement, the mysterious house where Gela lives with her faithful dog is actually full of secrets.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
My mom would have been horrified, but impressed too, by my efficiency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
Ava is horrified by Deborah’s willingness to make the deal.—
Caroline Framke,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
