shockwaves
Impact's spreading force
Shockwaves are intense pressure disturbances that travel through a medium—air, water, or earth—faster than the speed of sound.
Explosions and supersonic aircraft produce literal shockwaves.
Figuratively, shockwaves describe the spreading impact of dramatic events: The scandal sent shockwaves through the industry.
Also written as two words: shock waves.
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- faultImperfection or blame
- magnitudeSize or scale
seismograph · tectonics · tsunami · vibration · crust · seismicity · quake · rupture
Forceful contact between objects
- forceStrength or compulsion
- concussionBrain injury from impact
- blowMove air forcefully
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
crash · repercussion · aftermath · reverberation · consequence · fallout · effect · ramification
Violent disturbance of order
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- destabilizingCausing loss of equilibrium
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
transformation · cataclysmic · earth-shattering · game-changing · seismic · tumultuous · reverberating · far-reaching
Sudden forceful burst
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- pressureForce upon contact
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- propagationAct of spreading widely
compression · supersonic · mach · wavefront · impulse · overpressure · rarefaction · medium
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
magnitude · seismograph · tectonics · tsunami · vibration · crust · seismicity · quake · rupture · ground
collision
Forceful contact between objects
- forceStrength or compulsion
- concussionBrain injury from impact
- blowMove air forcefully
jolt · crash · repercussion · aftermath · reverberation · consequence · fallout · effect · ramification · ripple
upheaval
Violent disturbance of order
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- destabilizingCausing loss of equilibrium
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
chaos · transformation · cataclysmic · earth-shattering · game-changing · seismic · tumultuous · reverberating · far-reaching · profound
blast
Sudden forceful burst
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- pressureForce upon contact
- detonationExplosive ignition event
propagation · compression · supersonic · mach · wavefront · impulse · overpressure · rarefaction · medium · velocity
boom
Loud deep sound
- supersonicExceeding audio velocity
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
- crackNarrow break or attempt
bang · soundwave · acoustics · frequency · amplitude · resonance · decibels · audio · waveform · noise
- extreme energynuclear power, gamma rays, supernovas, explosions, fusion
- meteor impactscraters, impact crater, impact craters, crater, meteorite
shockwavescalm
Free from agitation
stability · normalcy · stillness · reassurance · ripples
shockwavesstillness
Complete lack of motion
equilibrium · calm · tranquility · stability · stasis