The meaning of SHOCKING is extremely startling, distressing, or offensive. How to use shocking in a sentence. SHOCKING definition: causing intense surprise, disgust, horror, etc. See examples of shocking used in a sentence. Definition of shocking adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. offensive, upsetting, or immoral: 2. extremely bad or unpleasant, or of very low quality: 3…. You can say that something is shocking if you think that it is morally wrong. It is shocking that nothing was said. shocking synonyms, shocking pronunciation, shocking translation, English dictionary definition of shocking. to strike or jar with intense surprise, horror, disgust, etc.: He enjoyed shocking people. to strike against violently. to give an electric shock to. … adjective giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation “the most shocking book of its time” synonyms: disgraceful, scandalous, shameful immoral deliberately violating accepted principles ….