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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Relevance
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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 disgusting
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocking
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
That find was sparked by a shocking last-minute development the weekend before opening statements — when federal investigators learned of a plot to pay one of the jurors $100,000 — and could lead to Gogic’s lawyers getting tossed from the case.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
The consequences have been shocking even for a region long troubled by drug trafficking and violence.
—Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shocking
Adjective
The shocking clip shows 27-year-old Emily Marzilli and friends encountering a hungry Bryde's whale while swimming near a school of sardines.
—Verb
Place it in a spot that is slightly cool to avoid shocking it from the temperature change.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
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The startling moment quickly grabbed attention online, with the video racking up more than 9 million views.—
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The urgency of their missing is underscored by startling numbers uncovered in our CBS Data Team investigation, which found that in 2025 domestic violence accounted for 26% of all violent crimes in Chicago.—
Adjective
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Humans could suddenly step into a box, perhaps hear gears grind, and then exit the box on a different floor—and even as safety features were innovated, that was terrifying.—
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Madigan's character, the elderly aunt of several of the students, became a cult favorite, both terrifying and delighting audiences.—
Adjective
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The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
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Having snow, slush, and (eventually) water all over my floors was a disgusting feeling.—
Adjective
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Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.—
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The prosecution argued that being on drugs didn't excuse the gruesome attack.—
Verb
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
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Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Verb
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The thing is, the album is already surprising us.—
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That was my first time successfully surprising him.—
Verb
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But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
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Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Adjective
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What an amazing group of women to journey through this mom-hood together!—
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Fresh talks can spark amazing progress.—
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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