Absorb the shock is a term that refers to an action taken to lessen the impact of a negative or unexpected event. Synonyms for this expression include cushion the blow, soften the impact, alleviate the blow, mitigate the damage, lessen the impact, and reduce the severity. All of these synonyms capture the essence of absorbing the shock by taking steps to reduce the harmful effects of a negative situation. Whether it is through proactive measures to prevent something from happening or reactive measures to lessen the impact, absorbing the shock is an important concept that can help individuals and organizations deal with adversity.