shock and awe
Americannoun
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Military. a strategy of overwhelming the enemy quickly with an impressive show of military might (often used attributively).
The war planners freely admit to using shock and awe tactics, targeting civilian and military targets alike with massive bombardment.
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an attempt to intimidate and defeat an opponent or advance one’s interests by an impressive show, as of power and authority, bravado, risk taking, etc. (often used attributively).
It's hard to look at this latest escapade of theirs as anything but shock and awe to garner fame and fortune.
She’s not a shock and awe type of leader.
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a state of being overwhelmed, dismayed, or greatly surprised and impressed.
We are already watching in shock and awe the disastrous consequences of not taking appropriate action on climate change.
Even those with no interest in architecture will experience shock and awe at the sight of the new concert hall’s curvaceous stainless steel exterior.
verb (used with or without object)
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to overwhelm or defeat with an impressive show of power and authority or of military might.
Could we shock and awe another planet into surrender if it didn't have the technology to meet our offensive?
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to very greatly surprise or impress; stun; dazzle.
At $800 each, the new magnesium alloy reel shocked and awed anglers and left everyone staggered by its lightness.
Etymology
Origin of shock and awe
First recorded in 1865–70; 1995–2000 shock and awe for def. 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Having experience of the president’s shock and awe style of negotiation before, I would suspect that the attack will be called off at the last second,” said David Stritch, currency analyst at Caxton.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
His decision to decline left the U.S. president little choice but to deliver the shock and awe.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
"The shock and awe sent everyone on the other side reeling," William Galston, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, told AFP.
From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025
And even if this $6-million-budgeted wonder comes up short at the Oscars, the shock and awe of its two-fer with the guilds won’t be forgotten by its creator.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2025
Everyone, at some point, tried the Baghdad—"pure shock and awe to your taste buds," Baba always said.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
