shockwave
n.a sudden, powerful wave of energy or emotion that spreads out from a central point. It can describe the physical force of an explosion or the deep emotional impact of bad news.
n.a sudden, powerful wave of energy or emotion that propagates through a medium. In physics, it refers to a high-pressure wave produced by an explosion or supersonic object; in a figurative sense, it describes a sudden, profound emotional or social impact.
“The news of the merger sent a shockwave through the company.”
“The sudden collapse of the local bank sent a financial shockwave through the entire regional economy.”
“The physicist explained how a supersonic aircraft creates a shockwave that manifests as a loud sonic boom to observers on the ground, while the pilot remains silent within the cone of pressure.”
“That process launched a powerful squeezing shockwave through the diamond inside.”
“Some of Arday’s peers said the fallout from the row could send shockwaves through academia and set the study of race in Britain back 20 years.”