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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
shell-shocked survivors who were in dire need of every kind of help
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shell-shocked
After four years of heavy subsidies and easing of permitting restrictions under the Biden presidency, those industries must be feeling a bit shell-shocked over the steady stream of bad news coming at them from Washington, DC since January 20.
—
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
These are the same Oilers who gave the Vegas Golden Knights life with a last-second own-goal in Game 3 of the second round, a result that could have shell-shocked them.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Andersen, who had been so good in the series, looked shell-shocked in net and never recovered.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Charlotte defenders looked shell-shocked, and the collapse accelerated from there.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2025
Boston, even with its title pedigree, looked shell-shocked, out of its league in a way few thought possible given the drastic swings in the series.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Alexander-Arnold looked shell-shocked and so did many of his team-mates.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Area Republicans look shell-shocked: President Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement sent a shockwave through the global economy, put the stock market into a tailspin and fueled fears that the U.S. is headed toward a recession.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
Soaring egg prices have left U.S. consumers scrambling and shell-shocked.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
These are the same Oilers who gave the Vegas Golden Knights life with a last-second own-goal in Game 3 of the second round, a result that could have shell-shocked them.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Andersen, who had been so good in the series, looked shell-shocked in net and never recovered.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Charlotte defenders looked shell-shocked, and the collapse accelerated from there.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2025
Boston, even with its title pedigree, looked shell-shocked, out of its league in a way few thought possible given the drastic swings in the series.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Alexander-Arnold looked shell-shocked and so did many of his team-mates.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Area Republicans look shell-shocked: President Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement sent a shockwave through the global economy, put the stock market into a tailspin and fueled fears that the U.S. is headed toward a recession.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
Soaring egg prices have left U.S. consumers scrambling and shell-shocked.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell-shocked
Adjective
-
The most stressed cities overall were primarily located in the Midwest and South, while the least stressed were concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest, and West.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
People who exercise regularly often have lower resting heart rates. Emotions: Feeling anxious, stressed, angry, happy, or sad can increase your heart rate.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
At some point, Kevin, dazed but not incapacitated, got on the line with a dispatcher.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
In footage shared by local media, he was seen bloodied, dazed and clutching his mobile phone.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The moment of truth arrived when Adams FaceTimed Phillips— initially confused and skeptical about her whereabouts.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
25 July 2025
-
Ferguson said teammates are more confused than upset.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Investigators do not suspect drugs or alcohol were involved but are looking into distracted driving as a factor in the crash.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
26 July 2025
-
These systems detect behaviors like hard braking or distracted driving and provide real-time alerts.—
Gaurav Sharda,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lakeway attorney David Wright, 72, had dizzy spells for years, but none of his doctors found the source.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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During the trek northward, Sanchez-Perez said his nephew started to feel dizzy and fell.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell-shocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell-shocked. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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