1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
the escaping bridegroom bid farewell to the shocked wedding guests as he ran out the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusted
filled with disgust
we were shocked at the appalling conditions in the prison
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
the hikers were so shocked at the sight of a bear that they didn't dare move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appalled
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surprised
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 scared
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocked
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Though these examples might sound harmlessly silly (or weirdly specific), relationship therapists aren’t shocked.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
When Balantrapu contacted Frye's clinic, she was shocked by the cost.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocked
Adjective
Displaying superhuman strength, Frank kills them both, in front of shocked witnesses.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Though these examples might sound harmlessly silly (or weirdly specific), relationship therapists aren’t shocked.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Draper’s co-workers were shocked in recent days to learn of the sudden effort to overturn the wage increases, the Chicago restaurant industry veteran said.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
When Balantrapu contacted Frye's clinic, she was shocked by the cost.
—Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocked
Adjective
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Cabot immediately covered her face and turned away from the camera, while a stunned Byron ducked down and exited the frame.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota killing off a late-period penalty was about the only highlight for Wild fans, who went to the second intermission a bit stunned at the deficit facing their team.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The, um, spin on one death elicits a smile, mostly because of Weaving’s disgusted takes.—
Michael Ordoña,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Lois then moves the razor toward her husband's crotch area as Dewey makes a disgusted face.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Try Visual Deterrents Birds are easily frightened, so adding colorful flags that wave in the wind may keep them from landing on your lawn and dining on your grass seed.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
13 Mar. 2026
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And a new study, published in the journal Emotion, suggests that a robot that mimics human breathing can also pass on frightened feelings.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As a relative newcomer to San Diego, I am appalled by the condition of the main roads in this city.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Undeterred by danger and appalled by hospital conditions, Annie organized the Keokuk Ladies’ Soldiers’ Aid Society (KLAS), serving as its corresponding secretary.—
Hanna Howard,
Des Moines Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the investing space, the boss of the world’s biggest investor, Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tagen, told CNBC he was surprised by how muted the market action has been to the war, saying he is concerned by the long term impact of higher oil prices.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
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Of the 37 total nominees, 10 teachers and two principals will be named as Golden Apple Award winners and will be surprised with the honor during classroom visits on an unspecified date in the spring.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current risk level in the Strait has already scared off most major marine war insurers, who have pulled their coverage of ships in the Strait.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This visual sleight of hand worked so well that sometimes even Gomez was amazed.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Liu, so amazed, emerges from the building with her phone out.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In California courts, sick and dying workers are suing quartz slab makers and countertop vendors — including several Bay Area shops, along with Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The union representing the city’s subway workers has filed suit against the MTA, arguing that transit agency honchos failed to get proper public comment before deciding not to back-fill sick subway station agents.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocked. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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