shocking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshä-kiŋ How to pronounce shocking (audio)
Definition of shockingnext
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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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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shocking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shock
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

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 shocking
Adjective
Wide receiver Davante Adams will be out 6–10 weeks after rupturing his hamstring, head coach Sean McVay revealed following the shocking 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The proposition was shocking to CISA’s career staffers, according to one of the former officials. — Andy Mannix, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
Just last year, the Valkyries – shocking the WNBA world by reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season in 2025 – moved a first-round playoff game more than 40 miles away to SAP Center in San Jose, the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. — Jill Martin, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 George came back strong with his 1987 solo classic Faith, reborn as a black-leather stud, shocking the music industry that had always seen him as a disposable joke. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
  1. startling
  2. terrifying
  3. disgusting
  4. gruesome
  5. appalling
  6. surprising
  7. frightening
  8. amazing
Adjective
  • Miller was a startling minus-37 in plus-minus ratio for the game.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • At the Shrine, though, each song was still a startling feat of storytelling — a raw wound that somehow hadn’t healed at all.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of startling
Adjective
  • What started as a routine bike ride home turned into a terrifying fight for survival for Katherine Marroquin on Sunday night.
    — Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In Carroll Gardens, says Cavallo, a house on Henry Street, between Carroll and President, is so terrifying some kids have to cross the street.
    — Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Then there is Gemini, whose brief tenure as a public company has been simply gruesome.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Lechner was a member of the 75th Rangers in Somalia and suffered a gruesome gunshot wound to his tibia.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruesome
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
Definition of appalling
Verb
  • After years of buying and selling horses, Casse knows the business will keep surprising him.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Still, there are layers to how the 24-year-old has carried himself in the big leagues since surprising his way onto the Oilers roster.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • This amazing energy, the vitality, simply could not be repressed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Each week, there are more amazing stats and historical comparisons.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing

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shocking
shockingly
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Cite this Entry

“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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