shocking
AdjectiveWordNet 3.0
Adjective (2)
- glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism“lurid details of the accident”Synonyms: lurid
- giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation“scandalous behavior”“the wicked rascally shameful conduct of the bankrupt — Thackeray”“the most shocking book of its time”Synonyms: disgracefulscandalousshameful
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Shock \Shock\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shocked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shocking.] [OE. schokken; cf. D. schokken, F. choquer, Sp. chocar. [root]161. Cf. Chuck to strike, Jog, Shake, Shock a striking, Shog, n. & v.]
1.To give a shock to; to cause to shake or waver; hence, to strike against suddenly; to encounter with violence. [1913 Webster]
Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
I shall never forget the force with which he shocked De Vipont.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
2.To strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust; to cause to recoil; as, his violence shocked his associates. [1913 Webster]
Advise him not to shock a father's will.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
3.(Physiol.) To subject to the action of an electrical discharge so as to cause a more or less violent depression or commotion of the nervous system. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Shocking \Shock"ing\, a. Causing to shake or tremble, as by a blow; especially, causing to recoil with horror or disgust; extremely offensive or disgusting. [1913 Webster]
The grossest and most shocking villainies. --Secker. [1913 Webster] -- Shock"ing*ly, adv. -- Shock"ing*ness, n. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]