shocked
shokt
Shocked (adj) means feeling sudden surprise or dismay, often mixed with disapproval. Example: “The whole class was shocked when the teacher announced she was leaving.”
adj
1
Feeling sudden surprise or dismay, often mixed with disapproval.
"The whole class was shocked when the teacher announced she was leaving."
"I was shocked to hear he'd been fired."
"She looked shocked when the bill arrived."
How to use shocked
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCaught off guard by something upsetting, surprising, or scandalous.
Common pairings
shocked to learn
shocked and appalled
genuinely shocked
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more shocked
- Superlative
- most shocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole class was _____ when the teacher announced she was leaving.
Related words
Rhymes for shocked
See all rhymes for shocked →Frequently asked questions
What does “shocked” mean?
The word “shocked” means feeling sudden surprise or dismay, often mixed with disapproval. In plain terms, caught off guard by something upsetting, surprising, or scandalous.
How do you pronounce “shocked”?
“Shocked” is pronounced shokt (/ʃɒkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “shocked” in a sentence?
Here is “shocked” used in a sentence: “I was shocked to hear he'd been fired.”
What part of speech is “shocked”?
“Shocked” is an adjective.
Is “shocked” a common word?
“Shocked” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between shocked and surprised?
Shocked describes sudden surprise or dismay, often mixed with disapproval, so it usually carries a negative or unsettling edge. Surprised is more neutral and can be pleasant or unpleasant, whereas being shocked suggests a stronger, often troubling reaction.
Does shocked always mean something bad happened?
Usually, yes. Shocked involves sudden surprise or dismay, frequently combined with disapproval, so it tends to follow unwelcome or startling events. It is less natural for happy surprises, where surprised or amazed fits better.
What prepositions go with shocked?
Shocked is commonly followed by by, at, or that, as in shocked by the news, shocked at his behaviour, or shocked that it happened. These structures introduce the cause of the surprise or dismay.
