shocking

adjective

shock·​ing ˈshä-kiŋ How to pronounce shocking (audio)
: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
shockingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The most shocking moment comes when Contessa accuses Dr. Damon of infidelity and fathering mixed-race children—a claim the other ladies quickly shut down. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024 The Instant White-Hot Wild: Season 3 Episode 8 Soldier Boy turns out to be as big a villain as Homelander after a shocking twist forces Homelander, Ryan, and Butcher into an unholy alliance. Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024 Trenchant talks about trust, love and parental obligation were interpolated with shocking surprises. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Dec. 2024 The killer wanted for stabbing a father of three to death at a Brooklyn bodega bought a cup of coffee inside before throwing it in the victim’s face in the fight leading up to the slay, shocking video shows. Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shocking 

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shocking was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near shocking

Cite this Entry

“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shocking. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shocking

adjective
shock·​ing
: causing horror or disgust
a shocking crime
shocking behavior
shockingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on shocking

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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