Shock Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฑ
shock
[สษk ]
Definitions
physical reaction
A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience, which causes a strong emotional reaction.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| shock |
This word is suitable for situations involving sudden and often distressing news or events that affect someone deeply.
|
| surprise |
This fits situations where something unexpected happens, but it doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation.
|
| jolt |
This is used for unexpected physical or emotional impacts that cause a sudden and brief reaction.
|
| trauma |
This term is appropriate for referring to severe emotional or physical distress caused by a deeply disturbing experience. It often has a long-lasting impact.
|
Examples of usage
- The news of the accident came as a shock to everyone.
- She was in shock after hearing the tragic news.
to cause surprise or outrage
To cause someone to feel surprised or upset because of something unexpected or outrageous.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| shock |
This word is used when something sudden and distressing happens, causing a strong emotional reaction. It's often associated with bad news or unexpected, negative events.
|
| surprise |
Surprise is used for any unexpected event, whether good or bad. It's more neutral compared to the other words and can be used in everyday situations.
|
| astonish |
Astonish is used when something happens that is extremely surprising and impressive, often in a positive way. It's used for events or facts that are hard to believe.
|
| outrage |
This word carries a strong negative connotation and is used when something causes anger and indignation. Itโs often related to unfair treatment or serious offenses.
|
Examples of usage
- The decision to close the factory shocked the employees.
- His behavior shocked his friends.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Experiencing shock can result from traumatic events, leading to a range of emotional responses such as confusion, fear, or numbness.
- Psychological shock can be categorized into types like acute shock (immediate response) and delayed shock (responses that come later).
Medicine
- In a medical context, shock refers to a serious condition where the body doesn't get enough blood flow, making it a life-threatening situation if untreated.
- Common types of medical shock include septic shock (due to infections), hypovolemic shock (due to low blood volume), and cardiogenic shock (due to heart problems).
Pop Culture
- The element of shock is widely used in horror films and thrillers to elicit strong reactions from audiences through sudden scares.
- Celebrity gossip often includes shock revelations or surprises about personal lives, keeping audiences engaged and intrigued.
Physics
- Shock waves are powerful waves traveling through mediums (like air or water) created by explosive forces, often explored in science.
- The term 'shock' in physics is used to describe sudden changes in a system, helping to explain phenomena like sonic booms.
Origin of 'shock'
Main points about word origin
- Originally derived from the Old English term 'scoh', meaning 'to strike' or 'hit', reflecting the suddenness of the feeling.
- The word 'shock' was first used in the early 17th century to describe physical impacts and later evolved to include emotional responses.
The word 'shock' originated in the late 16th century, from the Middle Low German word 'schokken' meaning 'to shake violently'. It was first used in the context of a sudden blow or impact, later evolving to include the emotional reaction to a surprising or upsetting event.
See also: shocked, shocker, shocking, shockingly, shocks.