shock
noun
1. the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
- he was numb with shock
Definition categories: feeling, stupefaction
2. the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat
- the armies met in the shock of battle
Similar word(s): impact
Definition categories: act, combat, fight, fighting, scrap
3. a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
- subjects received a small electric shock when they made the wrong response
- electricians get accustomed to occasional shocks
Definition categories: act, reflex
4. (pathology) bodily collapse or near collapse caused by inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells; characterized by reduced cardiac output and rapid heartbeat and circulatory insufficiency and pallor
- loss of blood is an important cause of shock
Definition categories: state, collapse, prostration
5. an instance of agitation of the earth's crust
- the first shock of the earthquake came shortly after noon while workers were at lunch
Definition categories: event, earthquake, quake, seism, temblor
6. an unpleasant or disappointing surprise
- it came as a shock to learn that he was injured
Similar word(s): blow
Definition categories: event, surprise
7. a pile of sheaves of grain set on end in a field to dry; stalks of Indian corn set up in a field
- corn is bound in small sheaves and several sheaves are set up together in shocks
- whole fields of wheat in shock
Definition categories: group, agglomerate, cumulation, cumulus, heap, mound, pile
8. a bushy thick mass (especially hair)
- he had an unruly shock of black hair
Definition categories: group, mass
9. a sudden jarring impact
- all the jars and jolts were smoothed out by the shock absorbers
Similar word(s): jar, jolt, jounce
Definition categories: event, blow, bump
10. a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
- the old car needed a new set of shocks
Similar word(s): cushion
Definition categories: man–made, damper, muffler
Sentences with shock as a noun:
- The train hit the buffers with a great shock.
- a head covered with a shock of sandy hair
verb
1. surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off
Similar word(s): floor
Definition categories: emotion, surprise
2. strike with disgust or revulsion
- The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends
Similar word(s): appal, appall, offend, outrage, scandalise, scandalize
Definition categories: emotion, disgust, nauseate, revolt, sicken
3. strike with horror or terror
- The news of the bombing shocked her
Definition categories: emotion, alarm, appal, appall, dismay, horrify
4. collide violently
Definition categories: contact, clash, collide
5. collect or gather into shocks
- shock grain
Definition categories: contact, collect, garner, gather
6. subject to electrical shocks
Definition categories: body, treat
7. inflict a trauma upon
Similar word(s): traumatise, traumatize
Definition categories: body, injure, wound
Sentences with shock as a verb:
- The disaster shocked the world.
- to shock rye