1
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
we all clustered around to hear the shocking news of our colleague's sudden death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear
the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appalling
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 surprising
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 frightening
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 shocking
Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The price of bottom-six centers on deadline day will never not be shocking.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Sophie is pacing in her room when Violet comes in, shocking me and Sophie both.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
Hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos recently told InStyle about his vision for Moore's shocking short hair transformation.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The price of bottom-six centers on deadline day will never not be shocking.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
Fast-forward 58 games, and not shocking to me, Joe was right.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Sophie is pacing in her room when Violet comes in, shocking me and Sophie both.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
The United States has released some startling statistics of its now week-long operation in Iran.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Bale’s startling as a good guy who’s in danger of going bad.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Critics at its first press screening called the film disgusting, accusing it of exploiting both its oblivious subjects and the beloved former first lady.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Just last week the president tweeted a vile and disgusting image of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and refuses to apologize.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
War isn’t the only thing in the Outlander universe that can deliver a gruesome death.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The filings also revealed a gruesome new detail about the case and provided some clarity about Burke’s status in the eyes of prosecutors.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Black also said Carr has emerged as a leader during her junior season — surprising him.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
From the very beginning, she was determined and had this amazing self-belief.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The flip side • Kudos to Courtney and Ewan for doing an amazing job of leading two buses of very excited first-graders through the Orlando Wetlands on a field trip!—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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