shocking

[ shok-ing ]

/ ˈʃɒk ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shocking ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc.

very bad: shocking manners.

Nearby words

shock-horror, shock-resistant, shock-test, shocker, shockheaded, shocking, shocking pink, shockingly, shockley, shockley, william bradford, shockproof

Origin of shocking

First recorded in 1685–95; shock¹ + -ing²

SYNONYMS FOR shocking

1 staggering, astounding, startling, appalling.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shocking ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsshock·ing·ly, adverbshock·ing·ness, nounun·shock·ing, adjective

Definition for shocking (2 of 3)

shock

[ shok ]

/ ʃɒk /

noun

a sudden and violent blow or impact; collision.

a sudden or violent disturbance or commotion: the shock of battle.

a sudden or violent disturbance of the mind, emotions, or sensibilities: The burglary was a shock to her sense of security. The book provided a shock, nothing more.

the cause of such a disturbance: The rebuke came as a shock.

Pathology. a collapse of circulatory function, caused by severe injury, blood loss, or disease, and characterized by pallor, sweating, weak pulse, and very low blood pressure.Compare anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock.

the physiological effect produced by the passage of an electric current through the body.

shocks, Informal. shock absorbers, especially in the suspension of an automobile.

verb (used with object)

to strike or jar with intense surprise, horror, disgust, etc.: He enjoyed shocking people.

to strike against violently.

to give an electric shock to.

verb (used without object)

to undergo a shock.

Origin of shock

1555–65; < Middle French choc armed encounter, noun derivative of choquer to clash (in battle) < Germanic; compare Dutch schokken to shake, jolt, jerk

SYNONYMS FOR shock

8 stagger, astound, stupefy. Shock, startle, paralyze, stun suggest a sudden, sharp surprise that affects one somewhat like a blow. Shock suggests a strong blow, as it were, to one's nerves, sentiments, sense of decency, etc.: The onlookers were shocked by the accident. Startle implies the sharp surprise of sudden fright: to be startled by a loud noise. Paralyze implies such a complete shock as to render one temporarily helpless: paralyzed with fear. Stun implies such a shock as bewilders or stupefies: stunned by the realization of an unpleasant truth.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shock ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

shock·a·ble, adjectiveshock·a·bil·i·ty, nounshock·ed·ness, nounshock·like, adjective

un·shock·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·shock·a·ble, adjective

Definition for shocking (3 of 3)

shock

[ shok ]

/ ʃɒk /

noun

a group of sheaves of grain placed on end and supporting one another in the field.

verb (used with object)

to make into shocks.

Origin of shock

1275–1325; Middle English; cognate with Low German schok shock of grain, group of sixty, German Schock sixty

Related formsshock·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shocking

Is there any better Beyoncé lyric to use in response to the most shocking celebrity tape this side of One Night in Paris?
Yoncé Said Knock You Out: The Solange and Jay Z Story|Kevin O’Keeffe|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was also the most shocking revelation of 2014: Beyoncé Knowles is not perfect.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was shocking to find out that the rape by Beebe was actually the last one of the night.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Playful and gory, the cartoonish paintings of Dee Dee Ramone, bassist for The Ramones, are every bit as shocking as their creator.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

READ MORE: Shocking New Reveals From Sony Hack: J. Law, Pitt, Clooney, and Star Wars Which brings us to the inimitable Kanye West.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Reveal Destiny’s Child and Kanye West Movies, and Spidey Cameo in Capt. 3|William Boot|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We spare the reader a shocking scene of filial and parental reproaches.
Tales And Novels, Volume 7 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
His hat was what might have been truly called “a shocking bad one.”
Recollections of Old Liverpool|A Nonagenarian
These men make dreadful tearings, and shocking eyes and mouths; but they take pretty good care to keep in the world, after all.
Pink and White Tyranny|Harriet Beecher Stowe
It is astonishing, as well as shocking, to see what loads he is made to draw here.
A Walk from London to John O'Groat's|Elihu Burritt
In Mr. Perkins' time a shocking accident occurred in the armory.
The Strange Story of Harper's Ferry|Joseph Barry

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (1 of 4)

shocking

/ (ˈʃɒkɪŋ) /

adjective

causing shock, horror, or disgust

shocking pink a vivid or garish shade of pink

informal very bad or terribleshocking weather

Derived Formsshockingly, adverbshockingness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (2 of 4)

shock

/ (ʃɒk) /

verb

to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etcthe atrocities shocked us; she shocks easily

to cause a state of shock in (a person)

to come or cause to come into violent contact; jar

noun

a sudden and violent jarring blow or impact

something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotionsthe shock of her father's death made her ill

pathol a state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused by circulatory failure or sudden lowering of the blood pressure, as from severe bleeding, burns, fright, etc

pathol pain and muscular spasm as the physical reaction to an electric current passing through the body

Derived Formsshockable, adjectiveshockability, noun

Word Origin for shock

C16: from Old French choc, from choquier to make violent contact with, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German schoc

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (3 of 4)

shock

/ (ʃɒk) /

noun

a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry

a pile or stack of unthreshed corn

verb

(tr) to set up (sheaves) in shocks

Word Origin for shock

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schok shock of corn, group of sixty

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (4 of 4)

shock

/ (ʃɒk) /

noun

a thick bushy mass, esp of hair

adjective

rare bushy; shaggy

Word Origin for shock

C19: perhaps from shock ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for shocking

shock

[ shŏk ]

n.

Something that jars the mind or emotions as if with a violent, unexpected blow.

The disturbance of function, equilibrium, or mental faculties caused by such a blow; violent agitation.

A generally temporary massive physiological reaction to severe physical or emotional trauma, usually characterized by marked loss of blood pressure and depression of vital processes.

The sensation and muscular spasm caused by an electric current passing through the body or a body part.

The abnormally palpable impact of an accentuated heartbeat felt by a hand on the chest wall.

v.

To induce a state of physical shock in a person.

To subject a person to an electric shock.

Science definitions for shocking

shock

[ shŏk ]

An instance of the passage of an electric current through the body. The amount of injury caused by electric shock depends on the type and strength of the current, the length of time the current is applied, and the route the current takes once it enters the body.

A life-threatening condition marked by a severe drop in blood pressure, resulting from serious injury or illness.

Idioms and Phrases with shocking

shock

see culture shock.

shocking

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of shocking

Definition for shocking (2 of 3)

shock

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of shock

Definition for shocking (3 of 3)

shock

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of shock

Examples from the Web for shocking

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (1 of 4)

shocking

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (2 of 4)

shock

verb

noun

Word Origin for shock

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (3 of 4)

shock

noun

verb

Word Origin for shock

British Dictionary definitions for shocking (4 of 4)

shock

noun

adjective

Word Origin for shock

Medicine definitions for shocking

shock

n.

v.

Science definitions for shocking

shock

Idioms and Phrases with shocking

shock