shock wave

noun

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of shock wave

1 : a compressional wave of high amplitude caused by a shock (as from an earthquake or explosion) to the medium through which the wave travels

2 : a violent often pulsating disturbance or reaction

shock waves of rebellion

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Examples of shock wave in a Sentence

The decision created a shock wave of criticism.

Recent Examples of shock wave from the Web

But the tectonic plates of international diplomacy are also moving in a direction that could send shock waves through Taiwan, as attitudes harden in both Washington and Beijing.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "Tensions rise over Taiwan Strait as U.S. and China harden positions," 9 Apr. 2018
If the Tsar Bomba were detonated over New York City, the air burst would kill 7.6 million people and the shock wave would travel 522 square miles.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "What would 'nuclear Armageddon' look like in your city? This simulator shows you | The Kansas City Star," 30 Mar. 2018
Should a trade war turn political, the shock waves could even extend beyond metal-bashing industries.

— Bloomberg.com, "These Companies Are America’s Biggest Losers in a Trade War," 8 Mar. 2018
The shock wave was so powerful that Mr. Zuniga’s wife, Wanna, riding ahead of him, was blown off her bicycle and sprawled on the ground, mottled with shrapnel wounds.

— ellen barry and christina anderson, New York Times, "Hand Grenades and Gang Violence Rattle Sweden’s Middle Class," 3 Mar. 2018
The day the shock waves hit Alaska last month was less than a week removed from the anniversary of that infamous earthquake.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Japan's 1995 earthquake offers disaster lessons for today," 3 Feb. 2018
In netting two of the top all-around outfielders in the game, the Brewers sent a shock wave throughout baseball and electrified a fan base already enthusiastic about the team's recent progress.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Haudricourt: Additions of Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain whip Brewers fans into a frenzy," 27 Jan. 2018
Tuesday’s report tempered signals from last month of a pickup in inflation that had sent shock waves through financial markets.

— harriet torry, WSJ, "Inflation Cooled in February," 13 Mar. 2018
The story broke as a second wave of women’s marches proceeded across the country and sent shock waves through Pennsylvania’s Republican party.

— jonathan tamari, Philly.com, "Rep. Patrick Meehan accused of sexual harassment by former aide; he denies claim," 20 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shock wave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of shock wave

1907

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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SHOCK WAVE Defined for English Language Learners

shock wave

noun

Definition of shock wave for English Language Learners

: a movement of extremely high air pressure that is caused by an explosion, an earthquake, etc.
: a usually negative response or reaction that many people have to a particular thing