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Glite Dictionary
state of shock

state of shock

17 3.9
A very stunned and numb feeling after a sudden bad event
  • noun
  • /steɪt əv ʃɑk/
translation icon : estado de shock
  • I'm afraid we're all in a state of shock.

Courtney was obviously in a state of shock.

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Examples

  • You are in a state of shock and you're not thinking clearly.

    Hot Pursuit (2015)

  • After hearing the unexpected news about the accident, she fell into a state of shock and couldn't speak.

  • The man was obviously in a state of shock.

    Skyhook (2012)

  • Suddenly I was thrown into a state of shock.

    Badlands (1974)

  • Alan was probably at this moment still in a state of shock.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • She was in a state of shock, you might say.

    Road Kill (1999)

  • Larkspur residents are in a state of shock today with the events at county hospital.

    It's Alive (2009)

  • The entire community is in a state of shock over both tragedies.

    Blog text (24)

  • I am in a state of shock, Shane's heart is still beating.

    Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016)

  • Marge, you're in a state of shock.

    I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)

Synonyms

surprise
vsstate of shock
∞ 1.0

A sudden feeling of wonder when something is unexpected

is more severe, involving distress and possible emotional numbness
shock
vsstate of shock
567 2.3

A sudden strong feeling of surprise and distress after an unexpected event

is an extreme state causing numbness and emotional freezing rather than brief surprise
dismay
vsstate of shock
49 3.4

A sudden strong feeling of worry or shock caused by something unexpected

is more extreme, adding numbness and greatly increased distress
astonishment
vsstate of shock
33 3.4

A very strong feeling of surprise and wonder

is harsher and includes distress or emotional numbness not mere wonder
daze
vsstate of shock
20 5.3

A short time when you feel confused and cannot think clearly

is deeper, adding strong distress and emotional numbness to that confusion
stupefaction
vsstate of shock
1 9.5

A state of being so shocked that you cannot think or react

is a broader extreme including distress and numbness beyond stunned amazement
state of disbelief
vsstate of shock
1 4.9

Not able to believe something because it is shocking

is more emotional and can include numbness and acute distress

Antonyms

composure
38 5.1

Calm control of your feelings and actions in a difficult situation

normalcy
  • US
36 4.1

The usual state when life returns to the expected routine

How Shocked

state of shock
17 3.9
startled
3.3

Surface Forms

state of shock singular
states of shock plural

Morphology

state + of + shock

The meaning is directly compositional: 'state' = condition and 'shock' = a sudden strong feeling of surprise or distress, so 'state of shock' simply denotes the condition of experiencing shock. This noun + of + noun pattern is a common, cross-linguistic way to form such descriptions, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

State of shock may come from the idea of a physical shock — like an electric shock or a sudden injury — that makes the body feel numb and leaves someone in a still state. So, it now describes being 'extremely surprised, upset, or emotionally numb' after a sudden event.