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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Meier ultimately signed up for Ladies of London with her best friend from the University of Florida, architect Dara Huang, and the first two episodes depict Huang’s shocking rise and fall.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The full extent became clear when the insurer slashed its outlook last year, shocking Wall Street.
—John Tozzi, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
Jokic and his co-star, Jamal Murray, both defended Adelman after the shocking season-ending loss, as hot-seat chatter began to inevitably circulate about the rookie head coach.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Meier ultimately signed up for Ladies of London with her best friend from the University of Florida, architect Dara Huang, and the first two episodes depict Huang’s shocking rise and fall.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Verb
The payments were introduced following a 2024 assassination attempt on Fico, who was shot and gravely wounded at a pre-election event, shocking the small country and reverberating across Europe.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
The full extent became clear when the insurer slashed its outlook last year, shocking Wall Street.
—John Tozzi, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
From the 19th century to World War I, the White House grounds had been accessible to a degree that can seem startling today.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Henley's eyes were light blue, vivid and startling against the rest of her coloring.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
While Krug was alive, authorities filed search warrants with communications companies that sought information about the increasingly terrifying messages the stalker was sending her, police records show.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
When the show picks up, Lorcan is experiencing a strange series of nightmares centered around a terrifying rabbit-faced man, a creature pulled from Celtic mythology known as a Pooka.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
What a disgusting story all around.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Making a disgusting joke about assassinating the President #2.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The gruesome case forced the Asahiyama Zoo, closed since early last month as part of regular maintenance ahead of the summer season, to delay its reopening scheduled for Wednesday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Bathen says the gruesome details aren't a bother to some.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
30 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
-
Delano and Sybil were on hand to celebrate Melvin's first day, surprising him on set.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 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
-
To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The best was this amazing movie with Isabelle Huppert and Gerard Depardieu.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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