What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shocked
Example
I was shocked to hear that my best friend had moved away without telling me. [shocked: adjective]
Example
The audience was shocked by the sudden plot twist in the movie. [shocked: past participle]
stunned
Example
I was stunned by the beauty of the sunset over the ocean. [stunned: adjective]
Example
The team was stunned by the last-minute goal from the opposing team. [stunned: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shocked is more commonly used than stunned in everyday language, but both words are interchangeable in most contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shocked and stunned?
Both shocked and stunned are appropriate for use in formal and informal contexts, although shocked may be slightly more common in casual conversation.
