Synonyms of shocks

shocks 1 of 2

noun

plural of shock

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

• collisions
• jolts
• impacts
• crashes
• thumps
• bumps
• blows
• slams
• encounters
• slaps
• contacts
• kicks
• concussions
• punches
• knocks
• impingements
• strikes
• jars
• jounces
• hits
• wallops
• buffets
• smashes
• raps
• touches
• thrashings
• batterings
• bashings
• meetings
• lickings

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

• astonishments
• amazements
• surprises
• dismays
• awes
• wonderments
• wonders
• confusions
• stupefactions
• startlements
• startles
• bewilderments
• consternations
• discomfitures

shocks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shock

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

• appalls
• horrifies
• scares
• stuns
• jolts
• frightens
• startles
• shakes
• outrages
• astonishes
• terrifies
• shakes up
• disgusts
• alarms
• amazes
• floors
• overwhelms
• panics
• flabbergasts
• stupefies
• dismays
• frights
• dumbfounds
• upsets
• spooks
• freaks (out)
• revolts
• terrorizes
• awes
• sickens
• scandalizes
• displeases
• disturbs
• nauseates
• affrights
• offends
• unsettles
• distresses
• scarifies
• knocks for a loop
• bowls over
• astounds
• repels
• disquiets
• disconcerts
• unnerves
• discomforts
• daunts
• perturbs
• dispirits
• undoes
• emasculates
• unstrings
• chills
• turns off
• demoralizes
• unmans
• discomposes
• overpowers
• weirds out
• crushes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delights
• pleases
• buffers
• cushions
• rejoices
• tickles
• gratifies
• assures
• cheers
• tempts
• charms
• entices
• comforts
• soothes
• consoles
• reassures
• solaces

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

• surprises
• amazes
• stuns
• startles
• astonishes
• rocks
• flabbergasts
• stupefies
• dumbfounds
• astounds
• bewilders
• takes by surprise
• bowls over
• perplexes
• confuses
• takes aback
• thunderstrikes
• disconcerts
• dismays
• floors
• dazes
• befuddles
• blindsides
• discomfits
• nonpluses
• blows away
• shakes up
• muddles
• confounds
• jars
• knocks for a loop

3

as in scares

to strike with fear

the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scares
• frightens
• terrifies
• startles
• spooks
• horrifies
• shakes
• panics
• frights
• alarms
• terrorizes
• affrights
• scarifies
• jolts
• appalls
• amazes
• worries
• gives one the creeps
• dismays
• awes
• makes one's flesh creep
• distracts
• shakes up
• astounds
• unsettles
• upsets
• distresses
• disturbs
• bowls over
• disquiets
• daunts
• unnerves
• disconcerts
• discomforts
• dispirits
• floors
• perturbs
• emasculates
• unstrings
• chills
• undoes
• unmans
• demoralizes
• discomposes
• psychs (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassures
• assures
• cheers
• comforts
• soothes
• consoles
• encourages
• inspires
• steels
• solaces
• emboldens
• heartens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shocks

Noun

There have also been shocks provided by debutants Cape Verde and Curacao, despite fears the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 would dilute the quality. —CBS News, 23 June 2026

Recent energy shocks have made these dynamics more visible. —Sebastian Buckup, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Martin Brisson, executive director of EuroCham Cambodia, noted that a series of external shocks are simultaneously affecting supply chains and driving up costs. —Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 23 June 2026

Britain has been trapped in a cycle of economic and political shocks, starting with the 2008 financial crisis and culminating with high inflation fueled by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 June 2026

In Thailand, more than 90% of fertilizers are imported, which leaves the country exposed to global food-price shocks via higher food input prices, Goldman noted. —Justina Lee, CNBC, 22 June 2026

Jonathan Anderson’s 2027 Dior Cruise collection married both, pairing shocks of tangerine orange against the softest, Cinderella-slipper blues. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 June 2026

Countries that have embraced renewable technologies, like Spain, have been protected from the energy shocks–at least as far as electricity goes. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said the revival of the partnership will help the countries to boost farmer incomes and respond to price shocks. —Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 19 June 2026

Verb

Many of those who knew the victims and the 25-year-old suspect say the news still shocks them. —Julia Avant, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Bubbles Didn’t Enter The Picture That Early In one of the moist unintentionally hilarious moments in the movie, Michael shocks his family by adopting a CGI baby chimpanzee named Bubbles sometime around 1979. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026

When harvested, the roots are cut, which shocks the plant and can delay root reestablishment for several weeks. —Ryan Bearss, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026

There are revelations aplenty, shocks too, and dozens of motel breakfasts, all in search of the holy grail, which, in most cases, is represented by a full scholarship to a Division 1 college or university. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

As the energy shocks from the Iran war reverberate worldwide, countries like Egypt are left dealing with the consequences. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Energy shocks in the 1970s were associated with global recessions and persistent inflationary pressures. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026

His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response. —Eric McDaniel, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026

Stabbing shocks Olathe community Officers responded around noon March 19 to the 1000 block of North Ridgeview Road after reports of an armed disurbance. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026