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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of shocks
Andrew Whalen, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
If rates don't cooperate or upside inflation shocks push back the timetable, this stock is going to react negatively.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled to the United States in 2014 on a visitor visa and later filed a petition for asylum, describing how security forces over the years had locked him up on false charges and tortured him with electrical shocks.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
In Israel, resilience is not treated as a soft virtue but as a critical capability to absorb shocks, adapt fast, and rebuild after failure.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Controls included a handful of physical controls for volume, fan temperature, exhaust mode, adjustable shocks, and more in the center stack.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
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
The sight shocks him out of his reverie.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
This genuinely shocks the robot, who had speculated there had to be a third party involved in the Empire-Foundation conflict but didn’t even think of Foundation having a backup plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Instead, Demerzel shocks her with an unexpected appearance, and the stage is set.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Design Portfolio Glide Paths Start conservatively and gradually increase equity exposure to reduce early-retirement shocks.
—Andrew Whalen, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
If rates don't cooperate or upside inflation shocks push back the timetable, this stock is going to react negatively.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled to the United States in 2014 on a visitor visa and later filed a petition for asylum, describing how security forces over the years had locked him up on false charges and tortured him with electrical shocks.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
In Israel, resilience is not treated as a soft virtue but as a critical capability to absorb shocks, adapt fast, and rebuild after failure.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Controls included a handful of physical controls for volume, fan temperature, exhaust mode, adjustable shocks, and more in the center stack.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
The sight shocks him out of his reverie.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
This genuinely shocks the robot, who had speculated there had to be a third party involved in the Empire-Foundation conflict but didn’t even think of Foundation having a backup plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Instead, Demerzel shocks her with an unexpected appearance, and the stage is set.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocks
Noun
-
Even in areas accustomed to heavier snowfalls, accumulations in this range can result in delays, collisions and road closures if not treated promptly.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The high-energy neutrons produced during fusion, being electrically neutral, escape towards the walls of the tokamak, allowing most of the energy produced to be recovered (and ultimately creating tritium in collisions with lithium).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unless the Fed surprises with a half point cut or strongly suggests another cut will come at the October meeting, a case could be made stocks are a bit out over their skis.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Persistent, sticky inflation is what scares us.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
No rattling wheels, no jolts, just a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Ainscough, a Studio Ashby alum who launched her solo design practice in 2020, took those distinctive doors as a starting point for the scheme of gentle greens, blues, and golden yellows—interjected with bold jolts of cherry and crimson.—
Fiona McCarthy,
Architectural Digest,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Like Kiko, the center of dozens of storms passed close enough to leave impacts from winds, rain and rough seas.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
More Spencer Platt/Getty Images In the days, weeks, and years that followed, survivors faced debilitating health impacts caused by the toxic ash that filled the Manhattan air.—
Andrew Garbarino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chamarel, Mauritius Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a massive 4K television that stuns with vibrant colors, hands-free voice control, and a $701 discount.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocks. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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