shocked
Definition
Adjective: 1. Struck with fear, dread, or consternation: Feeling a sudden, strong emotional disturbance, typically due to something unexpected and unpleasant, causing a temporary state of surprise, horror, or disbelief. 2. Affected by a powerful, often unpleasant, surprise: Experiencing a sudden and intense feeling of astonishment or dismay.
Usage
The adjective "shocked" describes a person's emotional state. It is often followed by the preposition "by" or "at" to indicate the cause. It can also be used in a predicate adjective structure (e.g., "I was shocked").
Examples
- The audience was shocked by the violent scene in the movie.
- She looked shocked at the news of his sudden resignation.
- I am deeply shocked and saddened by this tragedy.
- His rude comment left everyone shocked and silent.
Advanced Usage
- "Shocked into silence/action": So surprised or horrified that one becomes silent or is compelled to act immediately.
- The graphic images shocked the public into action.
- "Nothing shocks me anymore": An idiom expressing that one has become desensitized to surprising or bad news due to frequent exposure.
- After 20 years as a reporter, nothing shocks me anymore.
Variants and Related Words
- Shock (noun): A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
- The accident came as a terrible shock to the community.
- Shock (verb): To cause someone to feel shocked.
- The verdict shocked the nation.
- Shocking (adjective): Causing shock; highly disturbing or surprising.
- The documentary revealed shocking facts.
- Shocker (noun, informal): Something that causes great shock or surprise.
- The election result was a real shocker.
Synonyms
- Appalled: Filled with horror or shock.
- Aghast: Filled with horror or shock.
- Stunned: So shocked that one is temporarily unable to react.
- Dismayed: Consternated and distressed, often by something unexpected.
Antonyms
- Unfazed: Not disconcerted or perturbed.
- Unsurprised: Not feeling or showing surprise.
- Expectant: Having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen.
Related Phrases
- Culture shock (noun phrase): The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life.
- She experienced culture shock when she moved abroad.
- Shell-shocked (adjective): Suffering from shell shock (a historical term for combat stress reaction); often used figuratively to mean severely shocked or dazed.
- The survivors were shell-shocked and wandering the streets.
Adjective
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struck with fear, dread, or consternation
