SHOCK Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shock are collision , concussion , and impact . While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," 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

Q: When can 'collision' be used instead of 'shock'?

In some situations, the words collision and shock are roughly equivalent. However, 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: Where would 'concussion' be a reasonable alternative to 'shock'?

The synonyms concussion and shock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 'impact' a more appropriate choice than 'shock'?

The words impact and shock can be used in similar contexts, 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

shock 1 of 2

noun

ˈshäk

Definition of shock next

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in astonishment

the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual were in shock after they heard the news of the death of the president

Synonyms & Similar Words

shock

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verb

as in to appal

to cause an unpleasant surprise for Mom was shocked by the terrible news that her cousin had died in an accident I was shocked to find out that I was the victim of identity theft

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected were shocked by the way the law against public intoxication was constantly being broken

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as in to scare

to strike with fear the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of shock are collision, concussion, and impact. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," 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

When can collision be used instead of shock?

In some situations, the words collision and shock are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would concussion be a reasonable alternative to shock?

The synonyms concussion and shock are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 impact a more appropriate choice than shock?

The words impact and shock can be used in similar contexts, 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

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 shock

Noun

Deportation of these individuals or their family members would represent a significant negative shock to elderly home health care. —

Robert Krol, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 The trade shook the NBA, with most of the shock centering on Dallas’ willingness to part with Doncic, who, at 25, already boasts five first-team All-NBA selections and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals only eight months ago. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

As predicted by quarterback Joe Namath, the Jets shocked the Colts to win. —

Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025 Trump’s Gaza plan shocks the world but finds support in Israel Breaking the rules Republicans may brush off Trump’s words as nothing but audacious spitballing, but by opening the door to a Gaza without Palestinians, Trump has already made the world more brutal and unstable. —

Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shock

Noun

The collision caused the bus — which had traveled out of Progreso, about 58 miles northeast of Guatemala City — to fall 115 feet into a sewage-polluted stream, The Independent reported.

— Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
And all of this was in the wake of the Jan. 29 mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Virginia’s Reagan International Airport, between a commercial jet carrying 64 people and a military helicopter with three on board, claiming all 67 lives.

— Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025