shocker

noun

shock·​er ˈshä-kər How to pronounce shocker (audio)
: one that shocks
especially : something horrifying or offensive (such as a sensational film or work of fiction)

Examples of shocker in a Sentence

The ending of the movie is a real shocker. Their divorce was a shocker.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The series built to a similar question, but the answer here is a much better shocker. Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 Here’s a shocker: Nearly 90% of control towers across the country are understaffed, forcing controllers to work long hours under immense pressure. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Casey Mittelstadt, Colorado Avalanche 26 years old, $5.75 million salary cap hit through 2026-27 11 goals, 34 points in 62 games The Avalanche acquired Mittelstadt in a deadline shocker last season, trading Bowen Byram to Buffalo. Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025 This frame, the band’s only Hot 100 No. 1 single – another shocker – finally surges past that mark and earns triple platinum status. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shocker

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shocker was circa 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Shocker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocker. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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