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
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2
as in terrifying
causing fear
the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore
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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocking
Andy Rose, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
The statistics alone are shocking: More than one in five American adults (59.3 million people in 2022) are impacted by mental illnesses.
—Kendra Davenport, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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
Even for an attorney who has taken on so many high-profile cases, Buzbee acknowledges that pursuing shocking allegations against Combs, one of the best-selling musical artists of all time – and not on his home turf – will be a big test of his legal and public relations skills.
—Andy Rose, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
The statistics alone are shocking: More than one in five American adults (59.3 million people in 2022) are impacted by mental illnesses.
—Kendra Davenport, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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
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Yes, but: Grocery costs were up 0.5% last month, including a particularly steep rise in the prices of beef (up 3.1%) and eggs (up a startling 8.2%).Neil Irwin, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
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The film at times has the encompassing pansexuality of a D.H. Lawrence novel (Women in Love, say, which was adapted into a rather startling film back in 1969) but with everyone wearing immaculate shorts and tennies.Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The paranormal phenomena spooking Spongebob and Squidward has a mundane explanation, but the entity flickering the lights turns out to be none other than Nosferatu, who reassures them with a terrifying smile; amusingly, Spongebob and Squidward are relieved to see him.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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In the early hours of New Year's Day 2021 in Canton, Georgia, Morgan Metzer was awakened to a terrifying sight.Michael Loftus, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Reviews of the film at the time tended to single out the career-best performance of Jason Patric, primarily because, as the aggro, rape-minded workout buddy to Eckhart’s weak-spined Barry, Patric’s is the showiest and most sickening role.Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024
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The yearling scrambled back up its tree, then let go and fell, landing with a sickening thud.Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Police think the gruesome gunshot death is suicide.Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Prehistoric Rock Art Sites Created 'Multisensory Experience' For Hunter-Gatherers By Aristos Georgiou Science and Health Reporter 0 A collection of prehistoric human remains has revealed gruesome insights into a brutal massacre that took place more than 4,000 years ago.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In August 2024, the United States, also a major plastic and oil producer, announced a surprising policy shift by now committing to support limits on plastic production as well.Susan Solomon, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024
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Jamie Foxx's birthday dinner took a surprising turn on Friday the 13th.Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That Daniel Penny acted to defend others from a frightening figure on the train was of no legal relevance, from the prosecution’s point of view, given that Neely did not have a weapon or threaten a specific passenger directly.Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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However, Humbert decided to go it alone and ended up being the victim of quite a frightening shark attack.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That ends up dislodging the disgusting foreign item in Larry's throat.Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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Leigh goes for the gags in this one, from Broadbent’s workplace pratfall to friend of the family Aubrey’s (Timothy Spall) disgusting new restaurant.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Eric Gordon was also supposed to provide some secondary ball-handling off the bench in theory, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old is off to a horrific start this season.Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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Former detainees at the horrific Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there.Raja Razek, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shocking
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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