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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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
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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
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3
as in frightening
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocking
Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Episode Seven: After a shocking revelation, June spirals.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 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
Now a lawyer like her father, she’s forced to confront her own demons as the case twists through one shocking revelation after another.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
Episode Seven: After a shocking revelation, June spirals.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 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
-
Their level of music knowledge at Bandcamp is startling and insanely impressive.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The freeze frame at the end faded to a startling shade of (blood!) red.—
Zoe G. Phillips,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Back in August, Renner spoke about how his terrifying snowplow accident in January 2023 led to his daughter becoming a little more independent.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Prehistoric insects encased in amber reveal a terrifying evolutionary road that dead-ended sometime after the mid-Cretaceous period.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
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The ceaselessly rolling, jolting boat was sickening to him, too.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Watkins immediately received a flood of support on social media after the gruesome injury, as athletes and analysts from around the sports world chimed in with well wishes.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Following the gruesome discovery, an arrest warrant was issued for Jones, charging him with murder.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s precisely where the most surprising discoveries are made and the greatest satisfaction is derived.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2025
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That is not surprising, as sorting through differences takes consistent effort over time and is one of the more difficult areas.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Good news California began trying to police ghost guns after those frightening findings came out, enacting legislation in both 2022 and 2023 to curtail their unregulated sales.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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But the bloodshed that unfolded March 6-10 in Latakia and Tartous represents a frightening escalation.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Continue reading … ‘PRO-CRIMINAL’ – Blue state sheriff unloads on 'disgusting' bill targeting the right to self-defense.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While the defense in front of him remained very much horrific in Buffalo, Jarry was not good.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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In court documents, prosecutors described it as one of the most horrific incidents to occur in Las Cruces, located about 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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