shock and awe

== English == === Etymology === Coined by American defence strategists Harlan Kenneth Ullman (born 1941) and James P. Wade, Jr., in Shock and Awe (1996): see the quotation. The term gained greater public attention during the 2003 invasion of Iraq by US troops. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɒk (ə)nd ˈɔː/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃɑk (ə)nd ˈɔ/ (cot–caught merger) IPA(key): /ˈʃɑk (ə)nd ˈɑ/ Rhymes: -ɔː === Noun === shock and awe (uncountable) (military, also figuratively) A doctrine based on the use of spectacular displays of force. [from 1996] ==== Synonyms ==== rapid dominance ==== Translations ==== === Verb === shock and awe (third-person singular simple present shocks and awes, present participle shocking and awing or shocking and aweing, simple past and past participle shocked and awed) (military, also figuratively) To use the "shock and awe" doctrine in an actual or potential conflict, or to otherwise use a spectacular display of force or authority. ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === shock and awe on Wikipedia.Wikipedia