shockingshock‧ing /ˈʃɒkɪŋ $ ˈʃɑːk-/ ●●● S3 adjective 
the shocking news that Mark had hanged himself a shocking discovery The anger in his face was shocking.2morally wrong: It’s shocking that hospitals can deny help to older people. a shocking waste of money3British English informal very bad SYN terrible: The path was in a shocking state. I’ve got a shocking cold.—shockingly adverb → shock2
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- shocking photographs of mass graves
- It can be quite shocking for a child to see the changes in his or her body as puberty approaches.
- The report revealed some shocking new facts about the effect of drinking on health.
- These shocking events horrified the entire world.
- Another shocking piece of news greeted Theo in June, 1882.
- But it has remained as puzzling to modern historians as it was shocking to contemporaries.
- But it is full of frustrating inconsistencies, with the central auto-da-fe scene standing out in almost shocking relief from everything else.
- Everything went black in the shocking folds of his embrace.
- He couldn't have observed her intent scrutiny which was fuelled by an unfamiliar feeling she found deeply shocking.
- Opinion takes a world of countries so much for granted, it is mildly shocking to discover how recent the concept is.
- She says it's very shocking.
- The woman had a husband who was a shocking sinner, he went in for drink something chronic.
Longman Language Activatorsurprised and upset because something bad has happened
· I was shocked when I saw the size of the telephone bill.· Everyone seemed really shocked when I told them I'd started smoking.shocked (that) · I'm shocked that you've let things get this far.shocked at · I was shocked at the change in his appearance.· Gabby was shocked by how unpleasant they were to their mother.be shocked to hear/learn/find something etc · We were shocked to hear about Brian's heart attack - he's so young.· When I returned, I was shocked to discover that Rod had lost his job.deeply shocked (=very shocked) · We were deeply shocked to hear of the baby's death.
extremely shocked by something very unpleasant or frightening that has happened: · Horrified passengers saw the man fall under the train.· There was a horrified look on his face.horrified by: · The Prime Minister issued a statement saying he was "shocked and horrified" by the massacre.
very shocked by something that is very bad or unpleasant: appalled by: · I knew everyone in the room was appalled by my behaviour, but I didn't care.· Appalled at the state of the kitchen, she set about scrubbing away the layers of grime and grease.appalled that: · We're absolutely appalled that the newspapers can freely make allegations about this company.appalled to hear/see/find out etc: · I was appalled to learn that a serial killer was running a drugs operation in a high-security prison.
so shocked and upset by something terrible that has happened that you cannot continue with your life: · Without warning, my husband moved out, leaving me so shattered I couldn't continue.devastated/shattered by: · I went back to my motel, devastated by the news of her death.
also traumatised British if someone is traumatized by a bad event or experience, it badly affects the way they behave or react to things for a long time afterwards: · The attack on her in August 1990 had left her traumatized and unable to leave the house.· a frightened, traumatized childtraumatized by: · Some students were traumatized by the anatomy classes, while others were unaffected.
to feel very shocked by something, so that you cannot do things properly or talk about things clearly for a long time afterwards: · Two days after the earthquake, many people were still in a state of shock.· He arrived at my house in a state of shock, unable to tell me clearly what had happened.
shocked and feeling weak and nervous, because something very unpleasant or frightening has happened: · He was pulled from the wreckage of the car, alive but very shaken.· The fire in the hotel was not very serious but everyone was shaken up by it.shaken/shaken up by: · She was visibly shaken by the severity of her sentence, and left the court in tears.badly shaken: · She was badly shaken by the attack and found it difficult to describe her ordeal to the police.
written very shocked by something that you have just been told or have found out about: · "Ten thousand pounds!'' she said, aghast.· Some of the Republican policies have left feminists dismayed and aghast.aghast at: · Mr Sullivan seemed aghast at the prospect of losing his only daughter to this arrogant young man.
so shocked that you show it in your behaviour or appearance so shocked, angry, upset etc that you cannot speak: · The chairman was speechless when he heard that he had been dismissed.· Almost speechless, her mother managed to gasp out, 'And how long has this been going on?'leave somebody speechless: · Her children's behaviour is sometimes so bad that it leaves her speechless.speechless with rage/ horror/shock etc: · I didn't answer. I was speechless with rage.· The little girl seemed speechless with terror.I'm speechless spoken (=used to say how shocked or surprised you are): · Well, I'm speechless Anna. I really don't know what to say.
so shocked that you are unable to react immediately: · The news of his brother's death left him too stunned to speak.· Canada was completely stunned by the shooting, for it thinks of itself as a peaceful, gentle nation.· She looked pale and stunned -- it was clear that something awful had happened.stunned by: · His brother seemed stunned by the verdict.stunned silence (=when people stop talking, because something shocking has happened): · After a stunned silence, Peggy added, 'And I'm not going to change my mind.'
very shocked and unable to think clearly or do anything to improve the situation: · I stumbled from the office, feeling dazed and confused, and not really knowing where I was.· He stood there with a dazed expression on his face watching her pack her bags.dazed by: · Daphne is in hospital, still dazed by the events of the last ten days.
British spoken so shocked that you cannot speak for a short time: · 'Do you feel surprised by your win?' 'Gobsmacked would be closer to the truth.'
to make someone feel shocked to make someone feel very surprised and upset: · What really shocked me was that no-one seemed to care about all the beggars.it shocks somebody to see/realize/hear etc: · It shocked us to see how ill she looked.shock somebody into doing something: · I just felt I had to shock her into taking some action.shock somebody into something: · My father was shocked into silence.
if something unpleasant comes as a shock , it makes you feel surprised and upset because you were not expecting it at all: · I know this will come as a shock to you Ray, but try to understand how I feel.· The revelations of child abuse at the home have come as a profound shock to parents and social workers.
if something stuns you, especially a piece of news, it makes you feel so surprised and upset that you cannot speak or do anything immediately afterwards: · Sasha was too stunned by what had happened to say a word.· His words stunned her, and she stared at him in disbelief.
American informal if something unexpected knocks someone for a loop , it shocks or upsets them: · Joanna's resignation really threw me for a loop.· His next question totally knocked me for a loop. He said, "So what makes you think you're good enough to get into law school?"
if an unpleasant experience shakes someone up , they are shocked and upset by it: · Did that lightning shake you up, honey?· Katherine was one of the fairest people you could ever hope to meet, so her criticism really shook me up.
if a piece of news rocks a large group of people or an organization, it shocks them - used especially in news reports: · The scandal has rocked the banking world.· The law firm was rocked by accusations of bribery and dishonesty.
making you feel shocked making you feel shocked and upset: · These shocking events horrified the entire world.· The report revealed some shocking new facts about the effect of drinking on health.· It can be quite shocking for a child to see the changes in his or her body as puberty approaches.
extremely shocking and upsetting: · Losing your job can be a psychologically devastating experience.· a shattering personal crisis
the feeling of being shocked the unpleasant feeling of surprise that you have when something bad happens, especially when you do not expect it: · Fellow students expressed shock and dismay over the racist incidents. with shock: · We listened to the announcer with shock and disbelief -- another bomb had exploded in the city.
a very strong feeling of surprise and disbelief that you have when something very unpleasant or frightening happens: · It's hard for me even now to relate my feelings of horror and incredulity about what happened.in horror: · She screamed again and stared in horror at what lay in the doorway.with horror: · He was trembling with horror and disbelief.to my/your/his etc horror: · To my horror, I saw James' car draw up outside the gate.
something that shocks you something very bad or unpleasant that happens to you and that you did not expect: · "The bill came to almost £500." "That must have been a shock."get a shock: · Gary got a shock when his ex-girlfriend turned up on his doorstep.give somebody a shock: · It gave me a shock to realize that I had almost died.with a shock: · He realised with a faint shock that it was Lulu, much older but still beautiful.be in for a shock (=used to say someone will be shocked when they discover something): · If the FBI thought they could outwit him, they were in for a shock.a rude shock British (=a big and very unpleasant shock): · Going on holiday with Ian had been a rude shock -- he'd been argumentative, mean and not at all what she'd expected.
an unpleasant event or piece of news that makes you shocked, upset, and disappointed: · Not being allowed to return to her own country was a blow from which she never really recovered.blow to: · The Colorado river was closed, a bitter blow to rafters and kayakers who may have to wait seven years for a river use permit. deal somebody a blow: · His championship hopes were dealt a savage blow last night when he received a hamstring injury.
a piece of news which is extremely shocking and bad: drop a bombshell (=tell people something very shocking or surprising): · Then Vanessa dropped the bombshell that she was leaving - and leaving that night.come as a bombshell: · For the board of directors, the news of the crash came as a bombshell.
a sudden shock that happens when you find out the unpleasant truth about a situation: · Moving to the city was a rude awakening for an innocent country girl like Eli.be in for a rude awakening (=used to say that someone will be unpleasantly shocked when they discover something): · I was expecting the oral exam to be easy, but I was in for a rude awakening.
feeling shocked and offended surprised, upset, and offended by an event or by someone's behaviour, when you think it is morally wrong or unfair: · Shocked viewers jammed the switchboard with complaints. shocked by: · I am truly shocked by the content of the program.shocked at: · She was shocked at her own depraved behavior.
very shocked and angry about something you think is morally wrong or unfair: · We were outraged when we heard the rapist had only got a two year sentence.· His remarks, intended to calm the crisis, only served to alarm the already outraged Black community.outraged at/by: · My mother was outraged at the idea that she might be kept from seeing her grandchildren.
also scandalised British very shocked and offended by something that you disapprove of, especially because it is morally wrong - use this especially when a lot of people feel this way: · Their scandalized neighbours began a petition to remove them from the neighbourhood.scandalized by: · At first, the public was scandalized by his nude paintings.scandalized by: · The country was scandalized by the news of the President's alleged affair.
the strong feeling of being shocked and angry about something such as a public statement or action that you think is morally wrong or unfair: · The sense of anger and outrage within the community seemed to grow by the hour.· Prominent Republicans have expressed outrage at the decision.· The anarchic music of punk caused public outrage when it first burst upon the scene.
a situation that you think is wrong or immoral · It's very bad that tons of food are going to waste while people are starving.· What's really bad is the way the government promises new housing and never provides it.
morally unacceptable, unfair, and against accepted ideas about what should be allowed to happen: · I was taught that abortion is wrong, even though it's not illegal.· It's wrong the way they treat that poor animal.
something that is disgusting makes people feel shocked and angry, because it is completely immoral, evil, or unfair: · The attitude toward immigrants and racial minorities in this country is disgusting.· It's disgusting the way politicians use their position to their personal advantage.
very immoral, unfair, or cruel, in a way that people think is unnecessary and unacceptable: · The state of the country's health system is scandalous.· a shocking waste of human life· The amount of money spent on nuclear weapons is shocking.· It's scandalous that a lawyer who holds a position of trust would be involved in this kind of embezzlement.
a situation that is outrageous is extremely bad and unfair in a way that makes people very angry: · I've always thought it outrageous that the poor have to pay for tax cuts for the rich.· The President accused the writer of an outrageous personal attack on his wife.
if you say something is a disgrace , you think it should not be allowed to happen, because it is very unfair or unkind: · The way they treat their workers is a disgrace.it's a disgrace (that): · It's a disgrace that the only hospital in the town has been closed.
you say that a situation is a crime or is a sin when you mean it is very bad, especially because it is not fair and could easily be prevented: · No one should be in such a bad way that they have to beg. It's a sin.· The condition of the inner cities in this country is nothing short of a crime.it's a crime/sin to do something: · Mrs Clark said it would be a sin to evict them just because they hadn't paid their rent.· It would be a crime not to take this opportunity to reconstruct our educational system.
a situation that is criminal is morally wrong, but not illegal: · I think keeping animals locked up in cages is criminal.· Having such beautiful paintings and not letting the public see them is a criminal waste of the nation's art treasures.
formal a situation that is deplorable is very bad, especially when it is unnecessary and could easily be prevented: · Something must be done about the deplorable state of our roads.· In addition to their harsh sentences, the prisoners have been exposed to deplorable prison conditions.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY the shocking news that Mark had hanged himself It’s shocking that hospitals can deny help to older people. a shocking waste of money The path was in a shocking state.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
the shocking news that Mark had hanged himself It’s shocking that hospitals can deny help to older people. a shocking waste of money The path was in a shocking state.· It was the most shocking sound they'd heard.· Isn't it the most shocking scrum?· The way people looked was the most shocking thing.· You say the most shocking things.· It's been a most shocking day so far, quite shocking.
· A hard hitting television campaign, so shocking it can't be shown before 9 p.m., begins tonight.· The opening scene is so shocking it will leave you gasping.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveshockedshockingshockshockproofnounshockshockeraftershockverbshockadverbshockingly
1very surprising, upsetting, and difficult to believe: the shocking news that Mark had hanged himself a shocking discovery The anger in his face was shocking.2morally wrong: It’s shocking that hospitals can deny help to older people. a shocking waste of money3British English informal very bad SYN terrible: The path was in a shocking state. I’ve got a shocking cold.—shockingly adverb → shock2