1
as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
the escaping bridegroom bid farewell to the shocked wedding guests as he ran out the door
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusted
filled with disgust
we were shocked at the appalling conditions in the prison
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
the hikers were so shocked at the sight of a bear that they didn't dare move
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appalled
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 surprised
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 scared
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocked
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Williams tells host Andy Cohen, who is shocked to hear it.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Ticket prices leave Hurricanes fans stunned Fans browsing resale sites were shocked by the cost.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shocked
Adjective
That statement elicited a shocked, jaw-dropping reaction from Nojus.
—Verb
Until given the news, one neighbor, directly across the street from the Gangers, was unaware and shocked to learn that his neighbor’s daughter was the individual killed in Minneapolis.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocked
Adjective
-
Farley, who looks stunned, examines it.—
-
The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family – along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond – is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death.—
Adjective
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Most of us are simply not used to being this frequently upset, enraged, infuriated, or just plain disgusted by public occurrences.—
-
Dad was rightly outraged and disgusted.—
Adjective
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Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
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Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
Verb
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Russia and China claim to be appalled, too, but to use a classic diplomatic expression, the leaders in Beijing and Moscow should be invited, with all due respect, to shut their traps.—
-
Aggie is appalled at Nile’s presumptuousness, his entitlement.—
Verb
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Babz didn’t have much to worry about, as the Patriots surprised him with a 14-3 record, claiming the AFC East title.—
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Lucy Dacus surprised fans by bringing out Chappell Roan during a benefit concert for Sudan and Palestine relief efforts in Los Angeles.—
Verb
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What really scared me was telling my audience.—
-
That caption scared me for a minute.—
Adjective
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Jimmy Fallon was amazed that Charles said that to Kelce, and not just because the 6-foot-5 Kelce could have pounded the actor into a pulp.—
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All those economic experts will be amazed.—
Adjective
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This leaves a sicker risk pool behind and drives premiums even higher for those who remain.—
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Humans who have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected.—
Cite this Entry
“Shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocked. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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