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

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

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

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

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
Despite the shocking incident, Beyoncé handled it with grace. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 Rustic-chic one-bedroom mansions here span a shocking 5,000 square feet and come with a private spa and gym, a private butler, a private assistant, and a personal chef. — Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Verb
Cape Verde, the ultimate underdog, went toe-to-toe with a primary contender, shocking the soccer world with a 0-0 draw against Spain. — Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 Cape Verde came onto the international stage with a thrilling show — shocking the world with its 0-0 draw against Spain, where Vozinha was catapulted into sports stardom for stonewalling the Spanish, and on to its 2-2 stalemate with Uruguay. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 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
  • On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the startling announcement that the US military would begin requiring all active duty and reserve personnel aged 30 and older to undergo mandatory screening for testosterone deficiency.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The style configurations seemed limitless, and every type of woman or man seemed uniquely desirable — stunning in their own startling way.
    — Stephanie Fairyington, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • View gallery - 5 images What sounds more terrifying than a part-cockroach, part-robot cyborg?
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • One of the most terrifying aspects of being a teen is the continuous change.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Deer-Proof Your Garden To keep your flowers from being gobbled up by deer—one of the most heartbreaking of all garden misfortunes—choose flowers that people find glorious and deer find disgusting.
    — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
  • Where critics see disgusting piles of stuff, hoarders see more.
    — Shivali H. Patra, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Multiple gruesome photos of the crime scene were exhibited on screen during the first day of the preliminary hearing Tuesday, showing a garbage bag with limbs inside, as well as Rivas’ bloody head and torso.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film places one of the most gruesome villains from the DC universe front and center.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 July 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
  • She was definitely received like a rock star surprising their fans.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026
  • Druski's already kicked off his hosting duties in a big way, sharing the news of his hosting with A-listers like Cardi B and Jamie Foxx by surprising them with gospel choirs, mariachi bands and even on horseback.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 June 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
  • But the Orlando installation also will not have the amazing hillside setting with its valley and mountain views that the California original promises.
    — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026
  • Harnessing the amazing benefits AI can provide means first developing your executive decision-making skills.
    — Hanneke Antonelli, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of amazing

Browse Nearby Words

shockers
shocking
shockingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shocking

Nglish: Translation of shocking for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All