shock
/ʃɒk/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A sudden, strong feeling of surprise, fear, or upset. It can happen after bad news or an unexpected event.
- I was in shock after hearing the news.
- Her accident was a real shock to everyone.
verb
To make someone feel sudden surprise, fear, or upset. It can also mean to offend or disturb someone strongly.
- The bad news shocked me.
- His rude answer shocked the whole class.
Adinary Nuance
Use shock for a sudden, powerful reaction. It is stronger than surprise and usually more upsetting. It is also different from startle, which is a quick fright, often from a noise or sudden movement. If something deeply disturbs or affects you, shock is the better word.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sốc
- Spanish
- sorpresa fuerte
- Chinese
- 震惊
- Japanese
- ショック
- Korean
- 충격
Etymology
Shock entered English in the 1500s from French, and earlier from a Germanic source meaning a sudden clash or blow. The idea of a hard impact later led to the modern sense of a sudden emotional reaction.
Common phrases
in shocka shock to the systemshock and surprisethe shock of the news
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is shock stronger than surprise?
- Yes. Shock usually means a stronger and more upsetting reaction than surprise.
- What is the difference between shock and startle?
- Startle is a quick fright from something sudden. Shock is a deeper reaction to unexpected or upsetting news.
- Can shock be used in formal writing?
- Yes. It is common in both everyday English and formal writing, including news reports.
- How do I use shock as a verb?
- Use it before the object: 'The news shocked me.'