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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Kacey Musgraves has come forward with a shocking claim that three UFOs followed her flight last night.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
Professor Snape will be played by a Black actor this time around, shocking some friends… Snape (Kam Patterson) comes out to discuss!
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
What begins as a shocking revelation ignites a fierce father-son rivalry fueled by power, ambition and betrayal — with the global arms trade hanging in the balance.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Kacey Musgraves has come forward with a shocking claim that three UFOs followed her flight last night.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Blanching the green beans and shocking them in ice water first keeps them bright green and perfectly crisp, a brilliant move that’s worth the extra couple of minutes.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026
Professor Snape will be played by a Black actor this time around, shocking some friends… Snape (Kam Patterson) comes out to discuss!
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
This choice makes those images that do stand in for Sasha’s line of sight all the more startling and forceful.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Those startling stats mark a stunning reversal from the post-pandemic boom.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of his acts are dangerous or terrifying.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In 1972, Ann-Margret fell 22 feet from a stage during a performance — a terrifying moment that could have ended her career.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This was in itself disgusting but also came to represent the city’s problems.—
Rachel Sugar,
Curbed,
8 Apr. 2026
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Living under an openly misogynistic president may have felt freakish in 2017, but by his second term, bigotry became yet another disgusting norm.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dahl’s books are fanciful and imaginative, but also dark, cynical, and mean (and, unfortunately, often reflected his real-life ugliness), spinning stories in which gruesome and unpleasant fates befell rotten kids, and adults were frequently selfish, cruel, and not to be trusted.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
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The evidence at trial included a gruesome video showing Stanfier’s body in the trunk of a car, which had been shared with a woman Jordan-Brooks reportedly met while working at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Emeryville years earlier, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 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
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Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Zara has been surprising them from the very beginning.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 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
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And many contain an amazing assortment of super nutritious foods like quinoa, kale, beans and spinach.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Another thing that’s amazing to me about Asawa, and that Chase’s book reveals, is her relationship to her family and her community.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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