shocked 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshäkt How to pronounce shocked (audio)
Definition of shockednext
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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2
as in disgusted
filled with disgust we were shocked at the appalling conditions in the prison

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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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shocked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of shock
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

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.
Recent Examples of shocked
Adjective
The company’s business practices and hands-off approach to political content have made audiences more skeptical of it, and less shocked when Zuckerberg comes off as a villain. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 There’ll still be conversations surrounding the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and most of us anticipate a lot of shocked reactions from those learning when our birthdays and wedding anniversaries take place. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
The incident shocked Australians as political violence is rare here and politicians have always been accessible to the public. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The news of the cancer diagnosis on Tuesday shocked people inside the Vatican and across the Catholic world, given the pope was known for being in good physical shape. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shocked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocked
  1. stunned
  2. disgusted
  3. frightened
  4. appalled
  5. surprised
  6. scared
  7. amazed
  8. sick
Adjective
  • In front of a stunned Dodgers Stadium, the Brewers fought back on Thursday from an early 4-0 deficit.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • It was released as the third of the three-pack of new albums Drake dropped to stunned audiences this May.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • No wonder disgusted fans have protested both inside and outside Angel Stadium all summer.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Chris basically split us down the middle and decided who’s gonna be happy about what's happening around him and who’s gonna be kinda disgusted.
    — Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of disgusted
Adjective
  • Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In one video, a young orangutan can be seen crouching in the corner of a small, dark crate, its frightened eyes wide open.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Verb
  • Rather than being appalled, Meisner was impressed, and McQueen became a serial student, studying with Uta Hagen and Lee Strasberg and building his resume in summer stock and television.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Dorian Thornley, the proprietor of Westsider Rare and Used Books, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, gives a basic literary-knowledge quiz to the young college graduates applying to work there, and has been appalled at the results.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of appalled
Verb
  • Back then, Hamilton was a political newcomer who surprised himself with his candidacy.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But what has surprised creators more than anything is how hard YouTube is fighting back.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprised
Verb
  • That’s a $69,000 per-screen average — a far cry from La La Land ($176K) or even Anora ($91K), but in line with the likes of Poor Things and I, Tonya, showing that the streamers’ imprimatur hasn’t scared off theatrical audiences.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Although Down was not the victim, the case definitely scared her family.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • For now, that gives New Yorkers one more reason to stop, look up, and be amazed.
    — Nick Caloway, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Historian George is still amazed at the resilience of the neighborhood.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of amazed
Adjective
  • Grape expectations In 2020, macaques in an enclosure at the sanctuary started getting sick with an HIV-like virus called SRV.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Or calling in sick from work even when the doctor cleared you to return in the new year.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sick

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Cite this Entry

“Shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocked. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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