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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shock
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
For a party that has suffered its share of shocks at the ballot box, there was much to be said for playing it safe, avoiding risk.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
The lyrics kick in as Simon's best friend and Wonder Man costar Trevor (Sir Ben Kingsley) arrives on set, shocked to see the damage that could have only been wrought by Simon's powers.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shock
Noun
The shock that came immediately after learning of Peralta Vallerga’s death and her two children, Labowitch said, has been followed by another strong emotion.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
For a party that has suffered its share of shocks at the ballot box, there was much to be said for playing it safe, avoiding risk.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Iran’s ability to disrupt global shipping and shock the world economy has historical precedent.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
The lyrics kick in as Simon's best friend and Wonder Man costar Trevor (Sir Ben Kingsley) arrives on set, shocked to see the damage that could have only been wrought by Simon's powers.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
Noun
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In 2023, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Sutter County ninth and Yuba County eighth for injury collisions out of the state's 58 counties, placing the region among the highest in the state for fatal and injury crashes.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This magnetized ridge appears to funnel material and magnetic flux between the merging nuclei, further emphasizing the role of magnetic fields in governing the flow of matter during galactic collisions.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To our astonishment, what had seemed during fieldwork to be a single massive pile of ash was in fact a layered series of burning events.—
Elizabeth Sawchuk,
The Conversation,
1 Jan. 2026
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Express your astonishment at being selected and your heartfelt desire to go for it.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The unconscionable treatment of maids in Alma’s era finds uncomfortable parallels in the 1980s, when Angelika is both appalled and intrigued by the leering looks of her uncle Uwe (Konstantin Lindhorst).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Jefferson—the original originalist—would have been appalled at some of our recent Supreme Court decisions.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Homendy said the helicopter altimeter discrepancy is what surprised her the most in this investigation.—
Sam Sweeney,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Samsung has surprised users in recent months with some security fixes for devices even after support has ended.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Would honking unnecessarily scare residents who are already afraid?—
Tim Sullivan,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The basket and the crowd's reaction gave Calipari a jolt on the sideline.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Anteaters withstood an early jolt from Cal State Fullerton in their Big West Conference matchup, but came back with several blows of their own in an 86-64 win at Titan Gym.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana's unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Just like my star-bathing ritual, snow-watching elicits that sense of calm and amazement.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Many of the Italians who chanted and blew whistles near the grand stone arch in the Piazza XXV Aprile said they had been horrified and angered by images and videos on social media showing ICE agents operating violently in Minneapolis.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
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Like many Marylanders, I am horrified by what this video appears to show.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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