1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in astonishments
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
were in shock after they heard the news of the death of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in appalls
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 surprises
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 scares
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 shocks
Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
The geological setting means that moderate and strong earthquakes are frequent, and the region is among the world’s most active, as highlighted by decades of seismic history and recent similar shocks in the region.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But this could be the start of a period of stagflationary shocks where both sides of the mandate get worse at the same time.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Both leaders signaled interest in reducing tensions to avoid further shocks to the global economy.
—Landon Mion , Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
One hopes that the current climate deemphasizing this doesn’t render the whole thing nothing more than a fad that came from an incident that shocked a world, but that was many shocks ago.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Once enough cars have sped over these fissures, chunks begin breaking off to create those infamous potholes that pop tires and ruin shocks.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Utilizing a sizable collection of production and trade data, alongside a network model that accounts for both food and the materials needed to produce it, this macroscope depicts the effects of localized shocks to agricultural production on specific markets around the world.
—Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
This novel is about an aging Brooklyn deacon shocks his community by shooting the local drug dealer in 1969.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Every new scandal shocks us for approximately 15 minutes.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead of pulling himself up, Red Hood shocks the hero with a hand buzzer and falls into the chemicals.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Customers spend an average of $30 to $40 on costumes and $10 to $20 on joke or gag items, like a doughnut with a roach attached to the bottom, or a fake car fob that shocks the hand.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
These shocks land heavily on Hispanics, who are overrepresented in construction, service, and blue-collar work sensitive to inflation and policy disruptions.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Someone may step up in a way that shocks you, or someone may fade out just as quickly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
For someone used to orchestrating cinematic shocks behind the scenes, Moore suddenly found himself on the receiving end of one, and fans were left stunned as the season’s power balance shifted.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
The geological setting means that moderate and strong earthquakes are frequent, and the region is among the world’s most active, as highlighted by decades of seismic history and recent similar shocks in the region.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
But this could be the start of a period of stagflationary shocks where both sides of the mandate get worse at the same time.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Both leaders signaled interest in reducing tensions to avoid further shocks to the global economy.
—Landon Mion , Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
One hopes that the current climate deemphasizing this doesn’t render the whole thing nothing more than a fad that came from an incident that shocked a world, but that was many shocks ago.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Once enough cars have sped over these fissures, chunks begin breaking off to create those infamous potholes that pop tires and ruin shocks.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025
Utilizing a sizable collection of production and trade data, alongside a network model that accounts for both food and the materials needed to produce it, this macroscope depicts the effects of localized shocks to agricultural production on specific markets around the world.
—Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Someone’s unexpected behavior might push you to set new boundaries or make a financial move that shocks even you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
This novel is about an aging Brooklyn deacon shocks his community by shooting the local drug dealer in 1969.
—Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Every new scandal shocks us for approximately 15 minutes.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead of pulling himself up, Red Hood shocks the hero with a hand buzzer and falls into the chemicals.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Customers spend an average of $30 to $40 on costumes and $10 to $20 on joke or gag items, like a doughnut with a roach attached to the bottom, or a fake car fob that shocks the hand.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
These shocks land heavily on Hispanics, who are overrepresented in construction, service, and blue-collar work sensitive to inflation and policy disruptions.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Someone may step up in a way that shocks you, or someone may fade out just as quickly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocks
Noun
-
These would increase the likelihood of more collisions, much like in the movie ‘Gravity’.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the potential damage done by the increasing amount of collisions cannot always be repaired in a spacewalk.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But every now and then a recipe surprises us.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Kendall Jenner surprises students from UT Austin with 818 Tequila and Uber Eats tailgate supplies ahead of Tailgate with 818 in Dallas.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s something that scares me a little bit about not just theater, but people giving any opinions about any business.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
From speculating that what scares people the most is anything natural (which can’t be emulated) to advising never listen to a designer, especially a man designer, Jacobs is direct.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From fall fragrances like apple cider and more neutral scents like green tea to jolts of refreshing grapefruit, a single scented candle can really set the mood in any space.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Conjuring 2 is filled with sudden jolts, dog bells signaling danger, self-moving fire engine toys, and the infamous Crooked Man — all shot with cinematic tricks borrowed from '70s-era filmmaking.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Personality-wise, Luca amazes me.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to a media release from DHS regarding the ongoing impacts to the agency from the shutdown, funds administered to community partners through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Services Block Grant and Community Service Block Grant programs have been suspended.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The temporary lapse in SNAP benefits has already had dire impacts on families whose electronic benefits cards were due to be reloaded the first week of November.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … RETIREMENT PLEA – Chiefs coach's blunt message to Josh Allen after Bills victory stuns NFL fans.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Among them, Colleen Allen’s debut velvet maxi stuns in its simplicity, and Dries Van Noten’s bohemian take, fresh off the FW25 runway, makes a convincing case for maximalism.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocks. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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