shock
0 antonyms and opposites of shock, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A sudden, jarring surprise or emotional blow.
How to use shock
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From an old Germanic root meaning to jolt or collide, arriving in English via French and Dutch influences on the word for a violent impact.
Full origin of shock →Frequently asked questions
What does “shock” mean?
The word “shock” means a sudden, jarring surprise or emotional blow. In plain terms, a sudden jolt — emotional, electrical, or medical — or the reaction to something startling.
How do you pronounce “shock”?
“Shock” is pronounced shok (/ʃɔk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shock” in a sentence?
Here is “shock” used in a sentence: “The news of her resignation came as a real shock to the team.”
What part of speech is “shock”?
Depending on how it is used, “shock” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shock” come from?
The word “shock” comes from French. From an old Germanic root meaning to jolt or collide, arriving in English via French and Dutch influences on the word for a violent impact.
Is “shock” a common word?
“Shock” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “shock” have?
“Shock” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, jarring surprise or emotional blow.
What is the difference between shock and surprise?
Surprise is the reaction to something unexpected and can be mild or even pleasant. Shock is stronger and more jarring, a sudden emotional blow that can leave you stunned, upset, or momentarily unable to react. All shock involves surprise, but not every surprise rises to the intensity of shock.
What is an example of emotional shock?
Hearing sudden bad news, such as the loss of a loved one, an accident, or a job lost without warning, can produce shock: a stunned, numb feeling where the mind struggles to take in what has happened. The jarring, unexpected nature of the event is what makes it a shock rather than mere sadness.
Can a shock be positive?
Yes. Although shock often follows bad news, a sudden happy event can be shocking too, such as an unexpected win, a surprise reunion, or life-changing good fortune. The word describes the jarring force of the surprise itself, not whether the news is good or bad. We sometimes call this a pleasant shock.
What is the opposite of shock?
There is no single opposite, but words like calm, composure, and expectation sit at the other end. Where shock is sudden and jarring, calm is steady and unruffled, and something expected or anticipated cannot shock you because it arrives without surprise. The best opposite depends on your emphasis.