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 disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
What once would have been shocking begins to feel routine.
—William Muck, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
She is also seen belting it out in the recording studio, wearing this same shocking new look, reminiscent of something Paris Hilton would wear to fashion week.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Since Hathaway's viral video, people have posted themselves doing her trick, sometimes to shocking results.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Verb
The sordid tale of the Murdaughs unfolded in the public eye during a boom in true crime media, when actual instances of death and deception could hardly keep up with the demand for packaging and repackaging sinister stories of shocking human behavior.
—Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
What once would have been shocking begins to feel routine.
—William Muck, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
-
As the past timeline catches up to the wedding chaos in the present on the six-episode HBO/BBC drama, Ruben (Gadd) makes a startling admission to Niall (Jamie Bell) during a prison visit.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
There's a startling new plastic surgery trend.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
And Kyle Busch himself won his first Cup championship in 2015 after suffering a broken right leg and a broken left ankle in a terrifying crash at Daytona.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
-
Robertson plays a beautiful rising but troubled Hollywood starlet who accepts what appears to be the perfect secluded retreat, only to uncover a terrifying web of secrets connected to the property’s mysterious caretaker and the haunting legacy hidden deep within its walls.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
This blood and other stuff that blew out on the road is disgusting, and the smell is really awful.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
-
Both are also, objectively speaking, disgusting.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
With Chubb and Phillips still on the mend from gruesome injuries the year prior, the then-rookie was thought to be the heir apparent.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
The case has been widely reported by China’s heavily state censored media for the gruesome details of how Xu plotted the murder.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The pair’s secret romance was already woven into Season 1, surprising those who’ve read the source material since Allie and Dean are the focus of the third book in the series.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
-
Delano and Sybil were on hand to celebrate Melvin's first day, surprising him on set.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Bodo/Glimt knocking out last season’s finalists Inter was amazing too.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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