“Shock” vs. “Surprise”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “shock” and “surprise”

  • The main difference between "shock" and "surprise" is the emotional response they elicit. "Shock" is usually accompanied by negative emotions such as horror or disbelief, while "surprise" can be positive, negative, or neutral.
  • "Surprise" is usually less intense than "shock." A shock can last for a long time and can have a profound impact on a person's life.
  • "Shock" is usually caused by a traumatic event, while "surprise" can be caused by a variety of things, both big and small.
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What is the definition of “shock” and “surprise”?

Shock
  • "Shock" is a sudden and intense feeling of disbelief or horror caused by something unexpected.
  • It is usually accompanied by physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat or dizziness.
  • "Shock" can be caused by a traumatic event or even by good news that is too surprising to be believed.
Surprise
  • "Surprise" is an unexpected or astonishing event or fact.
  • It can be a positive or negative experience.
  • "Surprise" can be caused by a variety of things such as a gift, a visit from a friend, or unexpected news.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Surprise” is the more popular variant on the web.
Shock
733,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The loud bang from the fireworks shocked me.
  2. The sudden news of her passing was a shock to everyone.
  3. The electric current gave me a shock.
More popular
Surprise
989,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I was surprised by the thoughtful birthday gift from my friends.
  2. The surprise party for her promotion was a huge success.
  3. The unexpected visitor at my doorstep surprised me.
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