Thesaurus results for CONCUSSION

Q: How is the word 'concussion' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision , impact , and shock . While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow. // bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Q: When is it sensible to use 'collision' instead of 'concussion'?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded. // the collision damaged the vehicle

Q: When can 'impact' be used instead of 'concussion'?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other. // the glass shattered on impact with the floor

Q: When is 'shock' a more appropriate choice than 'concussion'?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force. // the shock of falling rocks

concussion

noun

kən-ˈkə-shən

Definition of concussion next

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the concussion of the two football players sent them both to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in crash

the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact the theory that such a concussion, by a giant asteroid or comet millions of years ago, led to the extinction of the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word concussion different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is it sensible to use collision instead of concussion?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

When can impact be used instead of concussion?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is shock a more appropriate choice than concussion?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of concussion Thousands of roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan had shown that a large blast could cause a concussion or worse without leaving any visible injury. —

Jon Hamilton, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025 And then a significant knee injury and major concussion dampened his career. —

Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025 Hurts left the second game against the Commanders in the first quarter with a concussion. —

Ben Standig, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 McDavid already raised controversy across the hockey world for another dangerous play against Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson on Wednesday, who got a concussion after McDavid delivered a high hit. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for concussion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for concussion

Noun

Hundreds of incidents since 2015 are detailed on the NASA database in which pilots have said they were forced to take evasive action to avoid collision with another aircraft or helicopter when trying to land or depart from the country's busiest airports.

— Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The 13-year-old figure skater was one of 64 passengers killed in the tragic Wednesday, Jan. 29 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers onboard, per CNN.

— Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025