What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aghast
Example
She was aghast at the sight of the car accident. [aghast: adjective]
Example
The news left him aghast and unable to speak. [aghast: adjective]
shocked
Example
I was shocked to hear that he had passed away. [shocked: adjective]
Example
She was shocked by the news of her friend's betrayal. [shocked: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shocked is more commonly used than aghast in everyday language. Shocked is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while aghast is less common and is often used in more formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aghast and shocked?
Aghast is typically associated with a more formal tone, while shocked can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
