1
as in startling
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
we all clustered around to hear the shocking news of our colleague's sudden death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear
the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appalling
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 surprising
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 frightening
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 shocking
Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
That continued during every stoppage on the bench, as though trying to will his team to stay on its shocking course.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Grace Raynor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Maury Phillips / Getty Images On March 7, 1965, the beating of future congressman John Lewis and voting rights marchers on Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge led the evening news, shocking the nation's conscience and pushing Congress to act.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
From Queen Elizabeth’s death to Kate Middleton’s shocking cancer diagnosis, Prince William and Princess Kate have faced some of the greatest challenges of their lives over the past few years.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
That continued during every stoppage on the bench, as though trying to will his team to stay on its shocking course.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
In addition to the sour sensation shocking their systems for an energy boost, both Shaw and Harrison say the lemon tradition helps them mentally.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Maury Phillips / Getty Images On March 7, 1965, the beating of future congressman John Lewis and voting rights marchers on Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge led the evening news, shocking the nation's conscience and pushing Congress to act.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
Developed by Laerdal Medical, the high-fidelity mannequin was designed to recreate real childbirth conditions with startling realism.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
-
During his time as chair, Powell has faced a global pandemic that rippled through supply chains for years, a startling war in Ukraine that caused an energy shock, a battery of tariffs, and now this war in Iran, which the IEA has warned threatens to cause the worst energy crisis in history.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fascinating — and perhaps slightly terrifying — part of this particular season is that both outcomes seem equally possible.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Scary is subjective, but for many people, HHN is terrifying.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Most residents of the United Arab Emirates are South Asians, most of whom have come not for disgusting luxury but for comfortable, middle-class dignity that would be difficult to obtain in their home countries.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
-
On the phone, Miranda admits she’s known for a week, but agrees that what Shinia did was disgusting.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After a meeting with one of them goes horribly wrong, Devlin and her publicist Sylvie, another a victim of Hollywood’s censure, find revenge offers a unique albeit gruesome ingredient for Glob’s products.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Detective Alex Cross and FBI Agent Kayla Craig (Tal) led a new joint mission to protect Durand and find the killer, who left behind gruesome clues.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Since Vic and Christine didn’t get an international getaway, TurboTax is surprising them with a honeymoon (and handling their first joint tax return while they’re gone, of course).—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Lucky for us, the Amazon Big Spring Sale started today, and some amazing tablet deals are here to make your life easier.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Hallauer and Josefberg have absolutely amazing chemistry, Adeline plays Lorraine to flirty perfection, Bindeman takes nerdiness to a whole new level, and Tucker’s voice is, well, golden.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
