thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: producing thunder

b

: making or accompanied by a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

2

: thundering

thunderously adverb

Synonyms of thunderous

• loud
• deafening
• roaring
• ringing
• thundering

Examples of thunderous in a Sentence

The audience responded with thunderous applause.

the last thunderous chord of the symphony rang throughout the hall

Recent Examples on the Web

There was one instance where journeyman Micah Potter faked out Kel’el Ware and drove for a thunderous dunk. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

Midway through the second half, Ijadimbola took a feed from Shay Jackson and rattled the rim with a thunderous dunk. —Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

Miller dapping up Charlotte rapper DaBaby following a thunderous right-handed fast-break dunk in the fourth quarter provided the perfect snapshot of just how well things went for the Hornets against a team that can contend to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy following the NBA Finals come June. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026

Tens of millions of viewers watched captivated as surfers navigated thunderous waves that broke over a dangerous reef. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

: producing thunder

2

: making a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

thunderously adverb