B2adjective2K

UK/["/ˈʃɒkɪŋ/"]/US/["/ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Shocking

that offends or upsets people; that is morally wrong

In simple words: Very surprising or upsetting.

Shocking in a sentence

  • shocking behaviour
  • shocking news
  • It is shocking that they involved children in the crime.
  • a shocking waste of money
  • a deeply shocking and painful discovery
  • Today we reveal the shocking truth about heroin addiction among the young.
  • The house was left in a shocking state.

How to use Shocking

Use 'shocking' to describe something that causes strong emotions. More common in neutral contexts; avoid overuse in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of a 'shock' like a sudden jolt, like when you touch a battery.

Related words

Collocations with Shocking

Synonyms for Shocking

Opposites of Shocking

Common mistakes with Shocking

  • Confused with 'shocked' which describes a feeling.
  • Used interchangeably with 'surprising', ignoring emotional weight.
  • Misused in contexts that are not serious enough.

Compare Shocking with Astonishing, Stunning

Shocking appears in

Shocking in other languages

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Frequently asked questions about Shocking

What does Shocking mean?

Very surprising or upsetting.

What is the definition of Shocking?

that offends or upsets people; that is morally wrong

How do you use Shocking in a sentence?

shocking behaviour

Can you give another example of Shocking?

shocking news

What are synonyms for Shocking?

Common alternatives include astonishing, astonishing, startling, appalling, stunning.

What is the opposite of Shocking?

Opposite meanings include expected, predictable, normal.

What words go with Shocking?

It commonly pairs with be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, to.

What are common mistakes when using Shocking?

Confused with 'shocked' which describes a feeling. Used interchangeably with 'surprising', ignoring emotional weight. Misused in contexts that are not serious enough.

How do you pronounce Shocking?

US: /["/ˈʃɑːkɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ˈʃɒkɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Shocking?

Use 'shocking' to describe something that causes strong emotions. More common in neutral contexts; avoid overuse in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Shocking?

"Shocking" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.