Word
shocked
US/ˈʃɑkt/
UK/ʃˈɒkt/
Definitions
01surprised and upset
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling very surprised, upset, or angry because something bad or unexpected happened.
adj. experiencing a sudden and powerful emotional disturbance, often involving disbelief or indignation.
“We were absolutely shocked to hear that the local library was closing down.”
“The community was deeply shocked by the sudden resignation of the headteacher, who had served the school for over twenty years.”
Pitfall
The news was very shocked.
The news was very shocking.
Use 'shocked' to describe how a person feels, and 'shocking' to describe the thing that causes the feeling.
Antonyms
02medical shock
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine Technical
adj. suffering from a dangerous physical condition where the blood does not flow properly after an injury.
adj. experiencing a life-threatening physiological state characterized by a sudden drop in blood flow through the body.
“The hikers were cold and shocked after being rescued from the mountain.”
“Paramedics treated the shocked survivors for hypothermia before transporting them to the nearest trauma centre for further evaluation.”
Synonyms
03electric shock
B2 · Upper Intermediate Physics Technical
adj. having had electricity pass through the body.
adj. subjected to an electric discharge or current passing through the body.
“The worker was shocked when he touched the live wire by mistake.”
“The technician was severely shocked while attempting to repair the high-voltage transformer without proper grounding equipment.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “shocked” in context.
Verb
01. look shocked
“You look shocked; did something unexpected happen during your meeting?”
verb + adj
02. remain shocked by the accident
“Many witnesses remain shocked by the accident despite the passage of several weeks.”
verb + adj + prep + noun
Adjective
03. shocked that he lied
“She was shocked that he lied to her after they had worked together for so many years.”
adj + that-clause
04. shocked to hear
“I was shocked to hear that they had decided to cancel the wedding at the last minute.”
adj + infinitive
Adverb
05. deeply shocked by the news
“The entire community was deeply shocked by the news of the sudden closure of the factory.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
06. visibly shocked
“The witness was visibly shocked when the prosecutor presented the new evidence.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear about the death and she urged people to "remember there are real people with loved ones involved".” “She wrote on X: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Jason Arday.” Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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