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Synonyms

shocking

American  
[shok-ing] / ˈʃɒk ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc.

    Synonyms:
    appalling, startling, astounding, staggering

  2. very bad.

    shocking manners.
shocking British  
/ ˈʃɒkɪŋ /

adjective

  1. causing shock, horror, or disgust

  2. a vivid or garish shade of pink

  3. informal very bad or terrible

    shocking weather
"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

Other Word Forms

  • shockingly adverb
  • shockingness noun
  • unshocking adjective

Etymology

Origin of shocking

First recorded in 1685–95; shock 1 + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr Abd El Fattah's apology, which came in a statement issued in the early hours of Monday morning, said that he understood "how shocking and hurtful" the posts were.

From BBC

In the same poll, the party came in at a shocking 18%, a new low.

From Salon

October's shocking events in Tanzania offer a snapshot of some of the tensions which have shaped a difficult year for African politics.

From BBC

A spokesperson for Joshua said Ghami and Ayodele were "integral" to the boxer's team, adding the news of their deaths was "truly shocking and devastating".

From BBC

After reviewing the historic tweets, Fattah said in a statement: "I do understand how shocking and hurtful they are, and for that I unequivocally apologise."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.