: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
Synonyms
Examples of shocking in a Sentence
The number of young teenagers who smoke is shocking.
a shocking waste of money
The building is in a shocking state.
Recent Examples on the Web
But for one couple, their big day was nearly derailed by a shocking incident involving an uninvited guest.
—
Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
With Williamson’s incredible start to his career and the shocking turns it’s taken since, The Athletic’s Will Guillory and Christian Clark discussed their times covering Williamson as members of the New Orleans media.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Since coming into power a year after Moïse’s shocking death, Petro has repeatedly talked about the historic ties between Colombia and Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The Proud Boys espouse a vague political ideology of unfettered free speech and nationalism, expressed through offensive language, controversial memes and shocking imagery.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shocking 
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Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
With Williamson’s incredible start to his career and the shocking turns it’s taken since, The Athletic’s Will Guillory and Christian Clark discussed their times covering Williamson as members of the New Orleans media.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Since coming into power a year after Moïse’s shocking death, Petro has repeatedly talked about the historic ties between Colombia and Haiti.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The Proud Boys espouse a vague political ideology of unfettered free speech and nationalism, expressed through offensive language, controversial memes and shocking imagery.
—Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shocking
Dictionary Entries Near shocking
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocking. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
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