shocking
adjective
shock·ing ˈshä-kiŋ 
: extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking news
shockingly
ˈshä-kiŋ-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- amazing
- astonishing
- astounding
- blindsiding
- dumbfounding
- dumfounding
- eye-opening
- flabbergasting
- jarring
- jaw-dropping
- jolting
- startling
- stunning
- stupefying
- surprising
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The number of young teenagers who smoke is shocking. a shocking waste of money The building is in a shocking state.
Recent Examples on the Web This period drama revisits one of the most shocking crimes of the civil rights era. 
Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Most shocking, Saylor stands accused of recruiting his lieutenants at MicroStrategy to conspire in an intricate plan for orchestrating the fraud. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 In her keynote, journalist Kim Zetter described how many of the most shocking security stories of recent years—Stuxnet, the Colonial pipeline attack, and so on—were predictable and preceded by many warning signs. PCMAG, 12 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the most shocking element in the surprise bill announced last week by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin is its inclusion of climate provisions. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth and director Andrew Semans talk to us about one of the most shocking screenplays of the year. Clark Collis, EW.com, 28 July 2022 But in recent decades, most of these depictions have centered on the most shocking aspects of higher-security prisons. New York Times, 27 July 2022 The thing that’s most shocking about the album to me is there’s not a single prisoner in any of the shots. San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2022 Balenciaga's skintight latex suits, pantaleggings, and face shields weren't the most shocking things to see on the runway at the brand's couture show in Paris. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 July 2022 See More
Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Most shocking, Saylor stands accused of recruiting his lieutenants at MicroStrategy to conspire in an intricate plan for orchestrating the fraud. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 In her keynote, journalist Kim Zetter described how many of the most shocking security stories of recent years—Stuxnet, the Colonial pipeline attack, and so on—were predictable and preceded by many warning signs. PCMAG, 12 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the most shocking element in the surprise bill announced last week by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin is its inclusion of climate provisions. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth and director Andrew Semans talk to us about one of the most shocking screenplays of the year. Clark Collis, EW.com, 28 July 2022 But in recent decades, most of these depictions have centered on the most shocking aspects of higher-security prisons. New York Times, 27 July 2022 The thing that’s most shocking about the album to me is there’s not a single prisoner in any of the shots. San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2022 Balenciaga's skintight latex suits, pantaleggings, and face shields weren't the most shocking things to see on the runway at the brand's couture show in Paris. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1655, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing shocking
Kids Definition
shocking
adjective
shock·ing ˈshä-kiŋ
1
: causing surprise, horror, or disgust
shocking news
2
: being intense or bright in color
shocking pink boots
shocking 1 of 2
adjective
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- startling
- surprising
- amazing
- stunning
- astonishing
- unexpected
- astounding
- breathtaking
- incredible
- stupefying
- wonderful
- jarring
- jolting
- dumbfounding
- flabbergasting
- awesome
- awful
- jaw-dropping
- miraculous
- unusual
- staggering
- eye-opening
- dumfounding
- extraordinary
- remarkable
- spectacular
- upsetting
- impressive
- blindsiding
- dismaying
- bewildering
- disconcerting
- confusing
- perplexing
- sensational
- uncommon
- unbelievable
- discomfiting
- stupendous
- wondrous
- unthinkable
- unimaginable
- unforeseen
- inconceivable
- sublime
- unanticipated
- confounding
- marvelous
- marvellous
- striking
- unlikely
- rare
- incomprehensible
- befuddling
- noticeable
- phenomenal
- heart-stopping
- portentous
- unannounced
- outstanding
- prodigious
- fabulous
- notable
- nonplussing
- muddling
- nonplusing
- conspicuous
- unwonted
- flustering
- unique
- singular
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unsurprising
- ordinary
- normal
- typical
- common
- usual
- customary
- mundane
- unremarkable
- unexceptional
2
as in terrifying
causing fear the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore Synonyms & Similar Words
- terrifying
- frightening
- scary
- horrible
- intimidating
- terrible
- formidable
- alarming
- horrifying
- startling
- dread
- fearful
- dreadful
- troubling
- disturbing
- gruesome
- eerie
- creepy
- trying
- ghastly
- horrendous
- forbidding
- frightful
- spine-chilling
- disconcerting
- dire
- unnerving
- fearsome
- hair-raising
- threatening
- discouraging
- eery
- disquieting
- dismaying
- demoralizing
- direful
- redoubtable
- daunting
- perturbing
- appalling
- distressing
- weird
- hideous
- grisly
- nightmarish
- awful
- macabre
- horrid
- bone-chilling
- monstrous
- atrocious
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- comforting
- calming
- soothing
- relaxing
- inviting
- consoling
- tranquilizing
- quieting
- tranquillizing
- nonthreatening
- lulling
- nonintimidating
- pacifying
3
as in sickening
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the shocking behavior of some rowdies at the dance Synonyms & Similar Words
- sickening
- disgusting
- awful
- horrible
- ugly
- hideous
- obscene
- dreadful
- offensive
- obnoxious
- nasty
- appalling
- unpleasant
- gruesome
- revolting
- scandalous
- horrific
- gross
- disturbing
- evil
- repulsive
- abhorrent
- nauseating
- terrible
- horrid
- repugnant
- horrendous
- abominable
- distasteful
- loathsome
- odious
- repellent
- noxious
- horrifying
- nauseous
- undesirable
- foul
- vile
- rancid
- fulsome
- noisome
- monstrous
- hateful
- unwanted
- grim
- repellant
- objectionable
- disagreeable
- upsetting
- detestable
- miserable
- despicable
- grisly
- heinous
- unspeakable
- nightmarish
- ghastly
- contemptible
- atrocious
- macabre
- unwelcome
- lurid
- sick
- unhealthy
- hard
- distressing
- unsavory
- frightful
- dislikable
- brackish
- dislikeable
- unwholesome
- exceptionable
- execrable
- barbarous
- lousy
- ungodly
- uncivilized
- unholy
- sickly
- off-putting
- sickish
- unchristian
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocuous
- acceptable
- delightful
- desirable
- gratifying
- appealing
- attractive
- pleasant
- sweet
- delicious
- satisfying
- alluring
- inoffensive
- nice
- welcome
- enjoyable
- pleasurable
- dreamy
- agreeable
- pleasing
- congenial
- palatable
- delectable
- heavenly
- felicitous
- inviting
- likable
- luscious
- likeable
- darling
- blessed
- savory
- savoury
- unobjectionable
- blest
- dulcet
- salutary
- unexceptionable
- healthy
- wholesome
- healthful
- salubrious
- restorative
- delightsome
4
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent a soldier who had witnessed the shocking sight of his best friend being killed Synonyms & Similar Words
- gruesome
- horrific
- frightening
- horrifying
- horrible
- nightmare
- terrifying
- terrible
- appalling
- sickening
- terrific
- scary
- awful
- dreadful
- hideous
- grisly
- nightmarish
- horrid
- disgusting
- macabre
- alarming
- ghastly
- atrocious
- horrendous
- monstrous
- lurid
- frightful
- intimidating
- revolting
- fearful
- obscene
- ugly
- grotesque
- repulsive
- dire
- deplorable
- nauseating
- offensive
- abhorrent
- gut-wrenching
- grewsome
- forbidding
- repugnant
- loathsome
- formidable
- unspeakable
- heinous
- disagreeable
- distasteful
- abominable
- heart-stopping
- obnoxious
- bloodcurdling
- fearsome
- hair-raising
- odious
- vile
- direful
- evil
- redoubtable
- noxious
- unsightly
- noisome
- foul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delightful
- appealing
- pleasant
- attractive
- delicious
- satisfying
- enticing
- enjoyable
- welcome
- pleasurable
- pleasing
- agreeable
- delectable
- inviting
- comforting
- soothing
- cheering
shocking
2 of 2verb
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- appalling
- horrifying
- startling
- frightening
- stunning
- astonishing
- alarming
- terrifying
- scaring
- disgusting
- jolting
- amazing
- shaking
- outraging
- overwhelming
- sickening
- shaking up
- disturbing
- dumbfounding
- flabbergasting
- stupefying
- dismaying
- astounding
- revolting
- upsetting
- nauseating
- unsettling
- flooring
- disconcerting
- disquieting
- distressing
- scarifying
- unnerving
- panicking
- offending
- terrorizing
- discomforting
- dumfounding
- daunting
- frighting
- scandalizing
- displeasing
- dispiriting
- knocking for a loop
- affrighting
- perturbing
- spooking
- chilling
- demoralizing
- awing
- emasculating
- repelling
- overpowering
- undoing
- bowling over
- alaruming
- unmanning
- turning off
- freaking (out)
- crushing
- discomposing
- weirding out
- unstringing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gratifying
- charming
- pleasing
- rejoicing
- enticing
- tempting
- delighting
- cushioning
- comforting
- reassuring
- tickling
- assuring
- buffering
- consoling
- soothing
- cheering
- solacing
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- surprising
- startling
- amazing
- astonishing
- stunning
- astounding
- rocking
- dumbfounding
- flabbergasting
- stupefying
- perplexing
- bewildering
- surprizing
- disconcerting
- dumfounding
- dismaying
- confusing
- jarring
- befuddling
- bowling over
- thunderstriking
- discomfiting
- taking by surprise
- taking aback
- blindsiding
- flooring
- dazing
- blowing away
- confounding
- shaking up
- nonplussing
- muddling
- nonplusing
- knocking for a loop
3
as in frightening
to strike with fear the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core Synonyms & Similar Words
- frightening
- terrifying
- startling
- scaring
- horrifying
- alarming
- shaking
- appalling
- spooking
- scarifying
- terrorizing
- panicking
- amazing
- frighting
- astounding
- affrighting
- dismaying
- disturbing
- jolting
- unsettling
- alaruming
- distracting
- making one's flesh crawl
- disconcerting
- disquieting
- unnerving
- giving one the creeps
- distressing
- making one's flesh creep
- worrying
- upsetting
- daunting
- discomforting
- dispiriting
- shaking up
- awing
- perturbing
- demoralizing
- chilling
- emasculating
- undoing
- bowling over
- unmanning
- flooring
- discomposing
- psyching (out)
- unstringing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reassuring
- comforting
- assuring
- consoling
- soothing
- encouraging
- inspiring
- cheering
- heartening
- solacing
- emboldening
- steeling
- technics
- technicum
- technikum
- technique
- techniques
- techno
- techno-pop
- techno-thriller
- technobabble
- technobabbles
- technocracies
- technocracy
- technocrat
- technocratic
- technocrats
- technography
- technol
- technologic
- technological
- technologically
- technologies
- technologise
- technologist
- technologists
- technologize