What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stunned
Example
I was stunned when I heard the news. [stunned: past tense]
Example
The audience was stunned into silence by the magician's trick. [stunned: past participle]
shocked
Example
I was shocked to hear that she had quit her job. [shocked: past tense]
Example
The news of the accident left me feeling shocked and upset. [shocked: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shocked is more commonly used than stunned in everyday language, and is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stunned and shocked?
Both stunned and shocked can be used in formal and informal contexts, but stunned may be considered slightly less formal than shocked.
