Thesaurus results for CONCUSSION

Q: How is the word 'concussion' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision , impact , and shock . While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow. // bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Q: When is it sensible to use 'collision' instead of 'concussion'?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded. // the collision damaged the vehicle

Q: When can 'impact' be used instead of 'concussion'?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other. // the glass shattered on impact with the floor

Q: When is 'shock' a more appropriate choice than 'concussion'?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force. // the shock of falling rocks

concussion

noun

kən-ˈkə-shən

Definition of concussion

as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the concussion of the two football players sent them both to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in crash

the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact the theory that such a concussion, by a giant asteroid or comet millions of years ago, led to the extinction of the dinosaurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word concussion different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of concussion are collision, impact, and shock. While all these words mean "a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things," concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

When is it sensible to use collision instead of concussion?

The words collision and concussion can be used in similar contexts, but collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

When can impact be used instead of concussion?

The synonyms impact and concussion are sometimes interchangeable, but impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

When is shock a more appropriate choice than concussion?

The words shock and concussion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of concussion That shift carries potential implications for concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, which has relied principally on federal support, particularly from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026 He was cleared of a concussion, returned, sustained a stinger, returned to the game again, then sustained another stinger and left for good. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Atlanta is playing without Za'Darius Smith, the team leader with 2 1/2 sacks who suffered a concussion/neck injury in Week 4, but its pass rush remains stout. — AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Reserve guard Trevor Penning also won’t play because of a concussion. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for concussion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for concussion

Noun

Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez was taken to the hospital with a head injury after receiving about 10 minutes of treatment following a nasty-looking collision while playing for Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Also, passenger road vehicles use safety features like steel bumpers and crumple zones to absorb impact forces during collisions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of collision

Noun

The character was killed in a helicopter crash in Amritsar, Indian that also involved the Indian Prime Minister.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
After co-headlining with Charli xcx at the peak of Brat Summer, Sivan was struck by his post-show emotional crash, when the roar of stadiums gave way to the quiet of being totally on his own.

— Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of crash

Noun

While Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis may have come as a shock to Catholics this week, the prognosis is likely a lot less scary.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
The initial shock of this freak accident is well-handled, notably when Jay tries to scramble up the whale’s jawline by climbing its teeth.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

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concur (with)

concussion

concussions

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“Concussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concussion. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of concussion

noun

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