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 sickening
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance
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4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent
a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of shocking
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2025
With a shocking and negative update on the labor market from earlier this month, a spiking inflation report for July would have put those two factors at even greater odds.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
But rather than play up the murders’ shocking gore or give momentum to Lois’ investigation, the first few episodes are content to linger in the investigator’s ennui.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
Although the price tags are shocking, few families pay the full tab.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2025
With a shocking and negative update on the labor market from earlier this month, a spiking inflation report for July would have put those two factors at even greater odds.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the show’s two signature numbers, both of them Norma’s declarations of her own worthiness, Scherzinger stands at center stage and belts with shocking vocal power and agility, surrounded by purgatorial swirls of smoke and blown out by that Lloydian white light.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024
But rather than play up the murders’ shocking gore or give momentum to Lois’ investigation, the first few episodes are content to linger in the investigator’s ennui.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
While there have been some rumblings about Paramount on Reddit chat groups like Wall Street Bets, there hasn’t been anything like the Covid frenzy that boosted AMC Entertainment, GameStop and numerous other stocks to startling levels.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In 1956, the American geologist M. King Hubbert made a startling prediction: In a matter of decades, the supply of fuel on which so much of modern society depended would dwindle.—
Alexander C. Kaufman,
The Atlantic,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In his first-ever manuscript, the 19-year-old English major imagined a terrifying dystopian death game.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
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The first movie revolved around a bride’s (Weaving) wedding night which takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The brazen and aggressive manhandling of Senator Padilla by the Trump administration is a sickening disgrace.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
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The practice is one of a sickening array of battlefield mistreatments recorded on video either by Ukrainian surveillance drones or Russian servicemen and then circulated on social media.—
Andrew Carey,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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Galpin’s storyline does conclude in Episode 2 of Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 as the lonely man dies a gruesome death, discovered by Wednesday.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
8 Aug. 2025
-
And part of his interaction with the public had become a rather gruesome tradition: Osbourne would throw pieces of raw meat and animal parts, including intestines and liver.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
The surprising development could come due to King Charles’ health.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
29 Aug. 2025
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The surprising exception is that the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other Western countries are floundering.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s project has emboldened ICE agents in frightening ways, too.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Her treatment began on May 20, 2024 at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, Indiana, but immediately took a frightening turn.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One of the guests makes a disgusting joke involving the boat and lubricant.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
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The show tells the story of Dexter Procter, a 10-year-old paediatrician and the world’s youngest-ever doctor trying to solve – frequently disgusting – medical mysteries, save his job, and find his place in the world.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Indy got hit with a two-by-four with Tyrese Haliburton’s horrific Achilles tear in the first quarter of Game 7 of the finals.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
In the end, the book circles back to the Jewish search for a home after the catastrophe of World War II and, in just a few potent pages, the consequent suffering of the Palestinians, magnified by the current horrific destruction underway in Gaza.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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