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Some common synonyms of shock<\/em> are collision<\/em><\/a>, concussion<\/em><\/a>, and impact<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things,\" shock<\/em> often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.<\/p>

\/\/ the shock<\/em> of falling rocks<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'collision' be used instead of 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words collision<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, collision<\/em> implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.<\/p>

\/\/ the collision<\/em> damaged the vehicle<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'concussion' be a reasonable alternative to 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms concussion<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion<\/em> when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.<\/p>

\/\/ bystanders felt the concussion<\/em> of the blast<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'impact' a more appropriate choice than 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words impact<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but impact<\/em> may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.<\/p>

\/\/ the glass shattered on impact<\/em> with the floor<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'shock' different from other nouns like it?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of shock<\/em> are collision<\/em><\/a>, concussion<\/em><\/a>, and impact<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things,\" shock<\/em> often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.<\/p>

\/\/ the shock<\/em> of falling rocks<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'collision' be used instead of 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words collision<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, collision<\/em> implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.<\/p>

\/\/ the collision<\/em> damaged the vehicle<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'concussion' be a reasonable alternative to 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms concussion<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion<\/em> when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.<\/p>

\/\/ bystanders felt the concussion<\/em> of the blast<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'impact' a more appropriate choice than 'shock'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words impact<\/em><\/a> and shock<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but impact<\/em> may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.<\/p>

\/\/ the glass shattered on impact<\/em> with the floor<\/p>" } } ] }

shock 1 of 2

noun

ˈshäk How to pronounce shock (audio)
Definition of shocknext
1
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in astonishment
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

shock

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to appall
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 to surprise
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 to scare
to strike with fear the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shock different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shock are collision, concussion, and impact. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

When can collision be used instead of shock?

In some situations, the words collision and shock are roughly equivalent. However, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

Where would concussion be a reasonable alternative to shock?

The synonyms concussion and shock are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is impact a more appropriate choice than shock?

The words impact and shock can be used in similar contexts, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

How is the word shock different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shock are collision, concussion, and impact. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

When can collision be used instead of shock?

In some situations, the words collision and shock are roughly equivalent. However, collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

Where would concussion be a reasonable alternative to shock?

The synonyms concussion and shock are sometimes interchangeable, but concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is impact a more appropriate choice than shock?

The words impact and shock can be used in similar contexts, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

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 shock
Noun
After the initial shock of Julie’s killing, neither Susan nor Leslie’s daughter, Rachel Ramstad, could recall their relatives being contacted by investigators. —Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026 Even before the Iran war’s oil shock, EV penetration rates had been rising across Asia — with a few notable exceptions such as Japan. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The five-part podcast, The Idiot, is hosted, written and reported by Gessen, who describes disliking their cousin, Allen, growing up, and then being shocked to find out he was arrested for trying to put a hit out on his ex-wife. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026 In a statement to local station WOI-TV Wednesday, the company said that it was relieved for Okland's family but shocked at the arrest of Ramsey, whom the statement identified as an employee of one its businesses, Midland Title & Escrow. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock
  1. collision
  2. astonishment
  3. appall
  4. surprise
  5. scare
  6. jolt
  7. amazement
  8. horrify
Noun
  • Senate Bill 26-141 would create a wildlife collision prevention fund in Colorado.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center plans to incorporate bird-friendly glass, a move aimed at reducing deadly collisions with reflective surfaces.
    — Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of collision
Noun
  • Lane Hunter vented his astonishment on TikTok that AC might not be turned on in his apartment building until early or mid-May.
    — Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Olivia Miles makes the types of nifty passes that can leave fans gasping in astonishment.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of astonishment
Verb
  • When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • As a relative newcomer to San Diego, I am appalled by the condition of the main roads in this city.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of appall
Verb
  • Saoirse can’t bear to think of her youngest daughter’s face when the public health nurse cooed, tickled her thighs, and then surprised her with an injection in the arm.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The Hurricanes surprised the college football world by sneaking into the 12-team playoff field and going all the way to the championship game.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • But, for whatever reason, something has scared FSG off.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • And while the lack of pass rush production in college should rightfully scare teams away from Faulk, his size and run-game ability provide a stable floor to work with early in his career.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • Playing in the injury absences of Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins, the Heat took a jolt in their playoff chase with Tuesday night’s 136-106 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Jumping from humid 85-degree tropical air into a cool swimming pool normally triggers a jolt of cold shock.
    — Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of jolt
Noun
  • The book is a mostly light-hearted exploration of Bennett's relationship with the tournament, from growing up in England rooting for his local soccer heroes, to watching in amazement every four years as teams from all over the globe take the spotlight on the World Cup stage.
    — Jeffrey Pierre, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
  • When Adebayo hit his final two foul shots to reach 83 points, players shook their heads in amazement.
    — Josh Robbins, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of amazement
Verb
  • Daughter Jo Antoniette Brakes said when her father was rushed from the nursing home to the hospital for heart issues, the doctor was horrified at his condition.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Reading the flood of comments that piled up underneath the posts, I was horrified to see how many expressed solidarity with the chef rather than with his victims.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of horrify

Browse Nearby Words

shoals
shock
shocked
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Cite this Entry

“Shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shock. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shock

Nglish: Translation of shock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shock

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