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shocking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshä-kiŋ How to pronounce shocking (audio)
Definition of shockingnext
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

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2
as in terrifying
causing fear the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore

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3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance

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4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed

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shocking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shock
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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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

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3
as in frightening
to strike with fear the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shocking
Adjective
As a shocking chart by the Wall Street Journal illustrates, the amount of capital spent on non-data center construction in the US has quite literally fallen off a cliff, while the capital deployed to build data centers soars into the stratosphere. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026 Maria Bartiromo's abrupt departure from Fox News Media is raising questions about what led to the shocking move. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Clary said the devices have been an extremely effective tool that sometimes make students cooperate on sight even without shocking a student. — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 The pilot’s shocking twist is that Jordan was also found dead at the same field ten years later in 2026. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
  1. startling
  2. terrifying
  3. disgusting
  4. gruesome
  5. appalling
  6. surprising
  7. frightening
  8. amazing
Adjective
  • Chelsea have lapses of startling vulnerability out of possession, and while Odegaard’s winner early in the second half was decorated by a sublime Havertz dummy, the move which led to it was far too simple to settle a game of this quality.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There are startling displays of what seem to be private moments, as when, at one point, Evans allows the crew to film him showering fully naked.
    — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • He’s crafted a propulsive, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious thrill ride that showcases both his cinematic chops and perverse sense of humor.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Compounding fears was a terrifying warning from a former AI executive last week that AI could end civilization within a decade and the tech companies aren’t doing enough about it.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • These guys are disgusting over the radio in the heat of battle.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The wealth disparity and how competitive sports enables opportunity hoarding is just disgusting.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • On a more altruistic front, Leighton also stands ready to end a gruesome pandemic in another world, turning up with vaccines and medications like a multidimensional DoorDash service.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Where does that leave the gruesome project that binds them together?
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Verb
  • 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.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of appalling
Verb
  • Human beings have an inconvenient habit of surprising us, and sometimes that surprise is the finding that matters most.
    — Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • What went down Dickens shared a video of himself surprising the Nature Gurlz, a beloved group of women who meet up weekday mornings to bask in the great outdoors.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • 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.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Travis Hunter is an incredibly talented young player who did amazing things in college.
    — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The sale offers amazing discounts across thousands of products, including my personal favorite category, toys.
    — Anja Webb, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazing

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shockers
shocking
shockingly
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Cite this Entry

“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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