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Definition of “shocking”

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Word Frequency

Word Frequency of shocking

shocking (ˈʃɒkɪŋ Pronunciation for shocking ) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. causing shock, horror, or disgust

  2. See shocking pink

  3. (informal) very bad or terrible ⇒ shocking weather

Derived Forms

ˈshockingly adverb
ˈshockingness noun

shock1 (ʃɒk Pronunciation for shock1 ) 

Definitions

verb

  1. to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etc ⇒ the atrocities shocked us, she shocks easily
  2. to cause a state of shock in (a person)
  3. to come or cause to come into violent contact; jar

noun

  1. a sudden and violent jarring blow or impact
  2. something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotions ⇒ the shock of her father's death made her ill
  3. (pathology) a state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused by circulatory failure or sudden lowering of the blood pressure, as from severe bleeding, burns, fright, etc
  4. (pathology) pain and muscular spasm as the physical reaction to an electric current passing through the body

Derived Forms

ˈshockable adjective
ˌshockaˈbility noun

Word Origin

C16: from Old French choc, from choquier to make violent contact with, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German schoc

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= upset, blow, trauma, bombshell, turn, distress, disturbance, consternation, whammy, state of shock, rude awakening, bolt from the blue, prostration
= trauma, collapse, breakdown, daze, stupor, stupefaction
= impact, blow, jolt, clash, encounter, bump, jarring, collision, jerk
= start, scare, fright, turn, jolt
= mass, head, mop, tangle, cascade, thatch, mane
= shake, stun, stagger, jar, shake up, paralyse, numb, jolt, stupefy, shake out of your complacency
= horrify, appal, disgust, outrage, offend, revolt, unsettle, sicken, agitate, disquiet, nauseate, raise someone's eyebrows, scandalize, gross out, traumatize, give (someone) a turn
= surprise, surprising, unexpected, startling, unusual, extraordinary, remarkable, incredible, astonishing, astounding, jaw-dropping

shock2 (ʃɒk Pronunciation for shock2 ) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry
  2. a pile or stack of unthreshed corn

verb

  1. tr to set up (sheaves) in shocks

Word Origin

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schok shock of corn, group of sixty

Translations for 'shocking'

  • British English: shockingPronunciation for shocking You can say that something is shocking if you think that it is very bad.The newspaper story was shocking.ˈʃɒkɪŋ ADJECTIVE
  • Arabic: مُرَوِّعPronunciation for مُرَوِّع
  • Brazilian Portuguese: chocantePronunciation for chocante
  • Chinese: 令人震惊的Pronunciation for 令人震惊的
  • Croatian: šokantanPronunciation for šokantan šokantna
  • Czech: šokujícíPronunciation for šokující
  • Danish: chokerendePronunciation for chokerende
  • Dutch: schokkerendPronunciation for schokkerend
  • European Spanish: espeluznantePronunciation for espeluznante
  • Finnish: järkyttäväPronunciation for järkyttävä
  • French: choquantPronunciation for choquant
  • German: schockierendPronunciation for schockierend
  • Greek: σκανδαλιστικόςPronunciation for σκανδαλιστικός σκανδαλιστική
  • Italian: scioccantePronunciation for scioccante
  • Japanese: ショッキングなPronunciation for ショッキングな
  • Korean: 충격적인Pronunciation for 충격적인
  • Norwegian: sjokkerendePronunciation for sjokkerende
  • Polish: wstrząsającyPronunciation for wstrząsający wstrząsająca
  • Portuguese: chocantePronunciation for chocante
  • Romanian: șocant șocant, șocantă, șocanți, șocante
  • Russian: шокирующийPronunciation for шокирующий шокирующая
  • Spanish: espeluznantePronunciation for espeluznante
  • Swedish: chockerandePronunciation for chockerande
  • Thai: ซึ่งตกใจสุดขีดPronunciation for ซึ่งตกใจสุดขีด
  • Turkish: yüz kızartıcıPronunciation for yüz kızartıcı
  • Ukrainian: шокуючий
  • Vietnamese: rất tồiPronunciation for rất tồi

Example Sentences Including 'shocking'

But then he discovers a shocking dark secret from his past, loses heart and runs away, setting the stage for the redemptive conclusion.
Globe and Mail (2003)
I closed my eyes and let sleep take me back into its arms and turn me away from this hard and shocking world.
Andrews, Virginia Web of Dreams
I've been using Ben and Sally as excuses to avoid facing Charlie's shocking behaviour --- I know I have.
Jane Asher LOSING IT (2002)
If The League of Gentlemen were only interested in shocking people, their work would not be nearly so entertaining.
Ben Thompson SUNSHINE ON PUTTY: The Golden Age of British Comedy from The Big Night Out to The Office (2004)
Looking back on it all, it seemed unreal; too shocking to have happened; too raw; too huge.
Gee, Maggie Lost Children
Of course, most of us experience this as something traumatising, shocking , where you can never be sure.
Spiked
Our male chauvinist correspondent comes up with an even more shocking statistic - 100 % of men don't care.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
They wouldn't release anything above size 6. Now, to me that's shocking.
Glasgow Herald (2002)
via video-link, Mr Mbeki said "it has been a very, very shocking moment for everybody.
Irish Times (2002)

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