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

Examples of shocking in a Sentence

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

The newest Trump administration and the shocking vote that happened this week at the UN, the U.S. siding with North Korea in that vote. —Abc News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025

In the wake of such shocking, there is inevitable pain. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 27 Feb. 2025

The shocking move by Topuria left the door open for Volkanovski to return to featherweight for an immediate title fight against Lopes. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

This gripping series takes viewers into insidious modern-day cults through the unique lens of members who endured unspeakable trauma and the shocking investigations into these oppressive groups. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shocking

• shocking pink

Rhymes for shocking

• blocking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking
• rocking

Kids Definition

shocking

adjective

shock·​ing

: causing horror or disgust

a shocking crime

shocking behavior

shockingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb