Synonyms of shock

shock 1 of 2

noun

ˈshäk 

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

• collision
• jolt
• impact
• crash
• thump
• blow
• slam
• bump
• slap
• concussion
• encounter
• pounding
• kick
• impingement
• contact
• jounce
• wallop
• strike
• knock
• punch
• jar
• hit
• smash
• thrashing
• hammering
• buffet
• bashing
• battering
• touch
• pummelling
• licking
• rap
• meeting
• pummeling
• bludgeoning
• clobbering
• lambasting

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

• astonishment
• amazement
• surprise
• surprize
• stupefaction
• dismay
• wonderment
• wonder
• startlement
• awe
• confusion
• bewilderment
• startle
• consternation
• discomfiture

shock

2 of 2

verb

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

• appal
• appall
• horrify
• stun
• scare
• frighten
• startle
• outrage
• jolt
• shake
• astonish
• shake up
• disgust
• terrify
• alarm
• panic
• amaze
• floor
• overwhelm
• dismay
• fright
• dumbfound
• flabbergast
• awe
• upset
• stupefy
• dumfound
• revolt
• spook
• discomfort
• distress
• sicken
• terrorize
• scarify
• scandalize
• offend
• nauseate
• affright
• knock for a loop
• disturb
• displease
• freak (out)
• astound
• disquiet
• repel
• disconcert
• unsettle
• unnerve
• daunt
• perturb
• dispirit
• alarum
• turn off
• bowl over
• demoralize
• undo
• emasculate
• chill
• discompose
• unman
• unstring
• weird out
• overpower
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delight
• buffer
• cushion
• please
• rejoice
• charm
• gratify
• tickle
• assure
• comfort
• tempt
• cheer
• entice
• soothe
• console
• reassure
• solace

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

• surprise
• amaze
• stun
• startle
• astonish
• rock
• surprize
• dumfound
• dumbfound
• flabbergast
• astound
• stupefy
• take by surprise
• thunderstrike
• take aback
• perplex
• bewilder
• bowl over
• floor
• dismay
• disconcert
• daze
• confuse
• shake up
• befuddle
• discomfit
• blow away
• blindside
• muddle
• nonplus
• jar
• confound
• knock for a loop

3

as in to scare

to strike with fear

the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scare
• frighten
• terrify
• startle
• panic
• horrify
• spook
• fright
• shake
• alarm
• terrorize
• scarify
• affright
• appal
• appall
• amaze
• jolt
• dismay
• awe
• alarum
• give one the creeps
• make one's flesh crawl
• shake up
• make one's flesh creep
• discomfort
• distract
• worry
• astound
• distress
• upset
• disturb
• unsettle
• disquiet
• floor
• unnerve
• disconcert
• daunt
• dispirit
• perturb
• psych (out)
• emasculate
• bowl over
• demoralize
• chill
• unman
• discompose
• unstring
• undo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassure
• assure
• comfort
• cheer
• soothe
• steel
• console
• encourage
• inspire
• solace
• hearten
• embolden

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

Recent Examples of shock

Noun

Despite his parental shock, Arnold, who's had his fair share of risqué roles, later reflected on the parallel between his and Patrick's daring career moves. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 5 June 2025

At the Haiti Funders Conference on Haiti in Boston on Wednesday evening, several attendees expressed shock at the development. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025

Verb

The headline that has shocked many borrowers is the fact that the government is now using its power to grab any tax refunds and other federal benefits, or even Social Security benefits (in the case of co-signing parents). —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025

In 2003, when he and his daughter were killed in a suicide attack at a café, she was shocked and saddened. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025