1
as in stressed
suffering from high levels of physical and especially psychological stress
even after the long furlough, the returning soldiers still felt a little shell-shocked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
shell-shocked survivors who were in dire need of every kind of help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shell-shocked
The Etihad looked shell-shocked once again and began fearing what seemed almost inevitable: a late Madrid winner.
—
Ben Church, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift appeared to be shell-shocked at how Super Bowl LIX turned out on Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
His family, including his wife, actor and singer Mandy Moore, and their three children, were fortunate that their main house survived, yet Goldsmith is shell-shocked by the Eaton fire’s toll.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The best way to describe Storr’s play this season is shell-shocked.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
Last December, Gilman was seated in front of the exact same locker, shell-shocked by what had just transpired on the field.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The Magic at first appeared shell-shocked by Wagner’s injury.
—Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Between the lines: Builders were shell-shocked by the housing crash and barely added any new stock to the market for almost a decade.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Acknowledging that many on the left are shell-shocked by the breadth of Trump’s win, the firebrand Bronx/Queens lawmaker told her followers to sit tight while the left regroups and figures out how best to push back.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2024
Ben Church, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift appeared to be shell-shocked at how Super Bowl LIX turned out on Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
His family, including his wife, actor and singer Mandy Moore, and their three children, were fortunate that their main house survived, yet Goldsmith is shell-shocked by the Eaton fire’s toll.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The best way to describe Storr’s play this season is shell-shocked.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
Last December, Gilman was seated in front of the exact same locker, shell-shocked by what had just transpired on the field.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
The Magic at first appeared shell-shocked by Wagner’s injury.
—Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Between the lines: Builders were shell-shocked by the housing crash and barely added any new stock to the market for almost a decade.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Acknowledging that many on the left are shell-shocked by the breadth of Trump’s win, the firebrand Bronx/Queens lawmaker told her followers to sit tight while the left regroups and figures out how best to push back.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell-shocked
Adjective
-
Crafted to lock in moisture, reduce redness, and soothe stressed skin, this toner blends the brand’s barrier lipid complex, polyglutamic acid, and cica into a thin hydrator that pairs well with any other step of your routine.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
-
My kids now had a dad who wasn't too exhausted to play, too stressed to focus, or too unhealthy to keep up with them.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Three eyewitnesses spoke of coming upon a dazed Pino clinging to the hull of his overturned boat, Lucy’s body trapped underneath.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
-
After this, the responsibilities of playing Bush fell to Hammond and later Will Forte, who fit the character more into his own image of a silly little boy in a man’s body rather than re-enact Ferrell’s dazed and confused moron shtick.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Alani, a French journalist, paints a haunting picture of modern Iraq through the eyes of its bewildered children.—
Lisa Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The snap captures Bailey a bewildered expression on her face.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Things seem out of alignment, from confused brand names, dates and products to upsets creating conflict and negativity, impacting customer appeal.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The broadcast then cut to Berry looking slightly confused and wiping her lips, prompting criticism for Brody kissing Berry without consent.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This is particularly important in distracted driving cases—showing data usage doesn't necessarily prove someone was actively using their phone.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Franco is simpering when he wasn’t distracted, and while Hathaway brings a bit of spirit, most of her lines are only half-funny.—
Bill Wyman,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Her dizzy socialite Tanya brought a hilariously chaotic energy to The White Lotus’ first two seasons, and without her, things do get a little darker and more thoughtful in Season 3.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Now, these two Englishmen turn their attention to the dizzy industry heights of Los Angeles — where Park has claimed victory four times before, of course — with stops at the animation world’s Annie Awards and the BAFTAs on the way.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell-shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell-shocked. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share