shock troops

American  

plural noun

Military.

1. troops especially selected, trained, and equipped for engaging in assault.

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shock troops British  

plural noun

1. soldiers specially trained and equipped to carry out an assault

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Etymology

Origin of shock troops

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shock troops

Mercenaries of the Wagner Group have served as shock troops in Ukraine and are expanding their presence in West Africa.

From Reuters ● Aug. 14, 2023

Stormtroopers wear Totenkopf skulls for helmets and borrow their name from Hitler’s shock troops.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2022

It’s crawling down the valley’s western flank this week, tossing embers before it like shock troops.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 22, 2021

The brigaders were shock troops who generally, but not always, fought courageously.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 22, 2020

Rhino-mounted Bantu shock troops could have overthrown the Roman Empire.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond