shocking
Causing sudden disbelief
Shocking describes something that causes sudden surprise, dismay, or outrage.
A shocking revelation upends expectations; shocking violence disturbs viewers.
The word implies intensity—more than merely surprising, something shocking provokes a visceral reaction.
It can also describe things meant to provoke: shock value, shock jock.
Used loosely, shocking expresses mild disapproval: The prices were shocking.
Causing great wonder
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
bombshell · blindsided · flabbergasted · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · dumbfounded · speechless · unbelievable
Disgraceful public affair
- exposeMake known publicly
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- outrageousShockingly bad or excessive
impropriety · indecent · salacious · lurid · sordid · disgraceful · shameful · notorious
Extremely shocking and dreadful
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
- ghastlyTerrifyingly horrible or pale
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- monstrousFrighteningly huge or wicked
hideous · unspeakable · disturbing · traumatic · harrowing · grisly · macabre · nightmarish
Causing strong disgust
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
- repugnantExtremely distasteful or offensive
loathsome · abhorrent · foul · detestable · odious · abominable · stomach-turning · offensive
Death from electrical current
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- zapDestroy suddenly with energy
- taserHandheld electroshock device
- defibrillatorHeart-shocking medical device
static · live wire · short circuit · voltage · current · grounding · stun gun · cattle prod
Tending to provoke outrage
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
transgressive · boundary-pushing · taboo · provocative · subversive · confrontational · edgy · radical
astonishing
Causing great wonder
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
- stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
jaw-dropping · bombshell · blindsided · flabbergasted · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · dumbfounded · speechless · unbelievable · incredible
scandal
Disgraceful public affair
- exposeMake known publicly
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
outrageous · impropriety · indecent · salacious · lurid · sordid · disgraceful · shameful · notorious · infamy
horrific
Extremely shocking and dreadful
- gruesomeCausing horror and disgust
- ghastlyTerrifyingly horrible or pale
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
monstrous · hideous · unspeakable · disturbing · traumatic · harrowing · grisly · macabre · nightmarish · chilling
revolting
Causing strong disgust
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- vileExtremely unpleasant or bad
repugnant · loathsome · abhorrent · foul · detestable · odious · abominable · stomach-turning · offensive · distasteful
electrocution
Death from electrical current
defibrillator · static · live wire · short circuit · voltage · current · grounding · stun gun · cattle prod · arc
inflammatory
Tending to provoke outrage
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- polarizingCausing sharp division
divisive · transgressive · boundary-pushing · taboo · provocative · subversive · confrontational · edgy · radical · audacious
- emotional reactionsinspiring, moving, touching, heartwarming, chilling
- tabloidsNational Enquirer, TMZ, Daily Mail, People, Globe
- suddennesssudden, suddenly, abrupt, abruptly, instant
- unbelievableunbelievable, incredible, inconceivable, implausible, unthinkable
- harvestingreaping, picking, gathering, collecting, plucking
- sarcasmyeah right, oh please, as if, oh really, how original
shockingunsurprising
Causing no astonishment
expected · predictable · ordinary · normal · usual
shockingsoothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
comforting · calming · reassuring · pleasant · gentle
shockingacceptable
Meeting minimum standards
wholesome · proper · decent · appropriate · moral
- shocking pinkVivid, intense magenta hue
- shocking revealUnexpected disclosure of truth