shock wave
nounDefinition 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
Examples of shock wave in a Sentence
The decision created a shock wave of criticism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bordeaux, France, long known as a highly traditional winemaking region and producer of a style of wine copied the world over, sent shock waves through the wine industry in June. — Fortune, "Can New Grapes Save the Wine Industry From Climate Change?," 31 Aug. 2019 His arrest sent shock waves through the East Coast fishing industry. — Washington Post, "Bitcoin founder claims draw skepticism," 20 Aug. 2019 Fayetteville, Arkansas — The indictment of a former doctor at a VA hospital in Arkansas is sending shock waves through the nation's largest health care system. — Omar Villafranca, CBS News, "Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in 3 deaths," 21 Aug. 2019 When Germany’s official statistics office reported on Wednesday that the economy shrank 0.1 percent in the second quarter, shock waves rippled through stock markets around the world. — Jack Ewing, New York Times, "Germany Has Powered Europe’s Economy. What Happens When Its Engine Stalls?," 16 Aug. 2019 If Southwest were to buy Airbus jets, shock waves would ripple from Dallas through Chicago to Seattle. — Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, "737 MAX crisis prompts Southwest pilots to question its all-Boeing fleet," 12 Apr. 2019 Our story Monday about California’s largest recycling operator shutting down its 284 centers and laying off hundreds of employees has sent shock waves through the recycler community. — Patrick May, The Mercury News, "As California recycling giant shuts down, concerns over plastic scourge grows," 6 Aug. 2019 President Trump’s flirtation with protectionism is sending out shock waves. — Washington Post, "Germany was Europe’s economic growth engine. Trade wars could drive it to recession.," 7 Aug. 2019 Indeed, only in 2010 did a panel of scientists weigh in to say, based on core samples of the crater, that an impact some 66 million years ago sent shock waves through the planet, raining fire and coating the Earth in ash. — David Von Drehle, Twin Cities, "David Von Drehle: Digging into our planet’s history," 22 July 2019These 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.
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