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 sickening
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocking
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
And if everyone thought Neeson was unkillable, then his climactic death would be significantly more shocking.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
The news of John Amos‘ passing was announced earlier this week, shocking many many fans, colleagues, and even his own family members.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shocking 
Adjective
Luntz also criticized a shocking Iowa poll, undertaken by Selzer & Co. for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom, that showed Harris had a three percent lead on Trump in Iowa, a historically red state.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
And if everyone thought Neeson was unkillable, then his climactic death would be significantly more shocking.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
But rather than play up the murders’ shocking gore or give momentum to Lois’ investigation, the first few episodes are content to linger in the investigator’s ennui.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
The news of John Amos‘ passing was announced earlier this week, shocking many many fans, colleagues, and even his own family members.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shocking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocking
Adjective
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The final graph shows the most startling comparison.Joel Shulman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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Davies makes a point of talking about the light in his photographs, but what my colleagues and I find startling is the color palette: The buildings are pale buff and so is much of the landscape around them.Owen Davies, Curbed, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Learn more › While the roar of the mighty Tyrannosaurs rex in the Jurassic Park film franchise is pretty terrifying, it was actually created by Hollywood special effects wizards using the sounds of a baby elephant.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024
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In this show, the most terrifying threat is not any singular person or group, but rather, the monsters inside us.Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Next she was wrenched the other way in a sickening, 180° roll, and one of the crew members tumbled down the almost-vertical deck and vanished in the sea.Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
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What was sickening about being there in person was watching the Trump fans around me and realizing that there was nothing shocking about it to them.Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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But the indictment returned by a Georgia grand jury in May detailed a gruesome confrontation in which Ibarra allegedly asphyxiated the student, hit her over the head with a rock to the point of disfiguring her skull, and pulled up her clothing, intending to rape her.Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
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The gruesome case garnered significant media attention after her remains were discovered, leading then-President Trump to invite Guillén's family and television crews to the White House to offer his condolences.Kyler Alvord, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Kapadia’s film isn’t concerned with dramatic arcs and surprising reveals, opting more to marinate, even stew, in its poetic, multi-hued visuals that are reflective of the mood swings of the city as well as its inhabitants.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
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Her questions become one of the most striking elements of this project, which takes a surprising turn.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The French Lutin fae can turn malicious if insulted, ruining crops and frightening animals.Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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Sanders has avoided a serious injury after a frightening incident during last night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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At least Gill thinks that coffee is disgusting too.Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
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Trump is disgusting, unhinged and unfit to represent the United States.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Iran possessing nukes represents an existential threat to Israel’s security in a way that terror groups—despite their horrific actions—simply never did.Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
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But when Harvey goes missing, Batman is forced to descend into the city’s labyrinthian underground, uncovering a horrific conspiracy by a secret society that has ruled Gotham for ages, one that has ties to his parents’ tragic murder.Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shocking
Cite this Entry
“Shocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocking. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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