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
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 shocks
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The Ethiopian economist worked with African governments over a tumultuous decade dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic that was followed by a period of high inflation, supply chain shocks, and global trade upheavals.
—semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Ahead of the 32nd annual Actor Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 1, streaming live on Netflix, read on for some of this year’s biggest snubs and shocks.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The world's largest economy weathered the shocks of 2025 better than most pundits predicted.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 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
This is not an outright Sell signal by any means, more a potential emerging issue to be aware of, suggesting the market has a thinner psychological and positioning cushion underneath it to absorb any shocks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
The Ethiopian economist worked with African governments over a tumultuous decade dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic that was followed by a period of high inflation, supply chain shocks, and global trade upheavals.
—semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Ahead of the 32nd annual Actor Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 1, streaming live on Netflix, read on for some of this year’s biggest snubs and shocks.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The world's largest economy weathered the shocks of 2025 better than most pundits predicted.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Kika is no victim, but a woman perpetually absorbing shocks, assessing those shocks, and recalibrating heroically.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 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
-
Blockers and tacklers were also forbidden from moving until the ball was caught, or touched the ground, reducing the number of full-speed collisions.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
As satellite constellations grow, global cooperation is essential to avoid collisions and ensure effective space traffic management.—
Alexander Görlach,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Equipment is available at no cost, a benefit that Sandoval said often surprises visitors.—
Sierra Knoch,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
-
During the celebration, Dale Bradley (James Jordan) surprises him with a Rolex Daytona Panda, a gift valued at roughly $30,000.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 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
-
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.—
Katie Lauer,
Mercury News,
22 Dec. 2025
-
The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 jolts every year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how good human beings can be in a crisis.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
21 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Baker says what frightens her most is whether younger generations will ever be able to step off that wheel — to build generational wealth through homeownership.—
Elizabeth Prann,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
According to Reconcept, the system performs especially well in high-stress environments where prolonged mental load impacts performance and recovery.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share