future shock

noun

: the physical and psychological distress suffered by one who is unable to cope with the rapidity of social and technological changes

Examples of future shock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ultimately, this shift toward more robust risk assessment is essential for building a resilient cyber insurance market capable of withstanding future shocks. Matt Cullina, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 More important, building and paying attention to a broad set of metrics for present-day well-being and its sustainability—whether good times are durable—would help buffer societies against future shocks. Joseph E. Stiglitz, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of future shock was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near future shock

Cite this Entry

“Future shock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future%20shock. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

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