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
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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
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
18 June 2026
Read on to discover the 13 most shocking Jeopardy answers of all time.
—
Louis Peitzman,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Dozens of older homes, most built during the area’s postwar building boom, were in a state of shocking disrepair.
—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
This administration has not been shy about its feelings about CNN, so the idea that the Ellisons would leave it behind in order to get a deal through would be shocking.
—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
18 June 2026
Read on to discover the 13 most shocking Jeopardy answers of all time.
—
Louis Peitzman,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
Verb
That 26-year-old Haitian, Joe Gaetjens, scored the winning goal, heading in a pass from Walter Bahr and shocking the sports world.
—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Dozens of older homes, most built during the area’s postwar building boom, were in a state of shocking disrepair.
—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
The swelling was significant, the bruising startling and the healing process appeared long and painful.
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Thursday’s cacophony of startling videos – with Ukrainian drones arriving in waves over the flames to follow up on strike after strike – marks a global moment of clarity, in which the Kremlin is truly struggling.
Adjective
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This terrifying, wondrous circle spinning around us here on Earth.
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What would be terrifying is to not have that opportunity.
Adjective
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Get a room, this is disgusting!
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And, to me, there’s nothing more disgusting than an airplane bathroom.
Adjective
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The historic victory, the nation’s first ever in the World Cup, was overshadowed when the midfielder injured his leg in gruesome fashion following a clumsy challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
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Men In Blazers Canada’s first-ever World Cup victory, a 6-0 demolition derby of Qatar, was overshadowed yesterday by a gruesome leg injury suffered by midfield maestro Ismaël Koné.
Verb
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The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
Verb
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At our junket interview for Netflix’s superhero comedy WONDERfools, however, Park provides miniature essays, often speaking for several minutes at a time, surprising us all.
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Turns out, her body keeps surprising her.
Verb
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Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
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This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
Adjective
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And the locations are amazing — the shootout occurs at the fort of Sant’Andrea that nobody really knows anything about in Venice.
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Lego is amazing, and Lego Star Wars in particular.
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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