An opinion is shocking only if it is a conviction.
Source: tatoeba (1865)
Shocking
/ˈʃɒkɪŋ/
Synonyms for "shocking" (239 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (48)
abhorrentabominableabruptabsoluteamazingappallingarrantarrestingastonishingastoundingatrociousawe inspiringawe-inspiringawesomeawfulbanefulbasebeastlybeneath contemptbeneath one
Adjective(8 words)
Strong matches (72)
direfuldisgracefuldisgustingdistressingdownrightdramaticdreaddreadeddreadfulegregiouselectrifyingenormousfearfulfellfetidfilthyflagrantformidablefoulfrightening
Show 40 more words
frightfulfulsomeghastlyghoulishglaringgrievousgrimgrislygrossgruesomegutterhastyhatefulheadlongheinoushideoushorrendoushorriblehorridhorrifichorrifyinghumiliatinghumiliativeimpetuousimpulsiveinfamousinfra diginfra indignitatemintolerablejarringjoltinglamentableloathsomelousymacabremind-blowingmind-bogglingmonstrousmorbidnasty
Adjective(10 words)
Adjective(2 words)
Related words (119)
nauseatingnauseousnefariousnerve-shatteringnoisomenotoriousnumbingobnoxiousobsceneodiousoffensiveopprobriousout-and-outoutrageousoutrightperfectpitiablepitifulpositiveprecious
Show 82 more words
precipitantprecipitateprecipitousprofoundpronouncedproperquickrankredoubtableregrettableregularreprehensiblerepulsiverevoltingrottensadscandalousschlockschrecklichscurvyshabbyshamefulshamelessshatteringshoddysicksickeningsightsordidsorryspeedysqualidstaggeringstarkstark-staringstartlingstrikingstunningstupefyingsuddensuperlativesurpassingsurprisingswiftterribleterrificterrifyingthe veriestthoroughthoroughgoingtoo badtotaltragictremendousunanticipatedunbearableunbecominguncleanunconscionableundeniableunequivocalunexpectedunforeseenungodlyunheard-ofunlooked forunlooked-forunmentionableunmitigatedunpredictedunqualifiedunrelievedunspeakableunspoiledunworthy of oneuttervilevillainouswoefulworstworthlesswretched
Adjective(1 words)
Adjective(13 words)
Noun(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abhorrent, abominable, abrupt, absolute, alarm.
- Sentence evidence is available for shocking, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "shocking".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "shocking"
Keep "shocking" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "shocking" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "shocking", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "shocking" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
18 entriesalarmappallastonishingastonishmentdefibrillationdismayelectroshockgraphic depictionjarmoral outrageoutragesalacious contentscandalous imagerystaggeringstartlestartling
Showing 16 of 18 words.
Collocations
15 entrieselectric shockelectrical shockmoral shockshock the systemshock therapyshock valueshocking claimshocking datashocking discoveryshocking evidenceshocking findingshocking imageshocking newsshocking resultshocking statistic
Inflections
4 entriesDerivations
4 entriessimilar
2 entriesSample sentences
12 total sentences available.
His nonsensical behavior is shocking.
Source: tatoeba (287305)
The time would fail me if I were to recite all the big names in history whose exploits are perfectly irrational and even shocking to the business mind.
Source: tatoeba (906644)
This is the most shocking thing that ever happened in my life.
Source: tatoeba (1331354)
Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "shocking"?
Closest matches include abhorrent, abominable, abrupt, absolute, alarm.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "shocking"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.