thunderclap

noun

thun·​der·​clap ˈthən-dər-ˌklap 

1

: a clap of thunder

2

: something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder

Synonyms of thunderclap

• clap
• bang
• boom
• blast
• pop
• roar
• slam
• crash

Examples of thunderclap in a Sentence

I was awakened by a thunderclap.

awakened by the thunderclap of a large branch falling on the roof

Recent Examples on the Web

But nothing could compare to the thunderclap meeting of two A-list titans that was Cruise cheesing with Sesame Street stars Elmo and Cookie Monster on the sidelines. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026

There are also thunderclaps, which are loud, explosive sounds of thunder that can accompany an extremely close lightning strike. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

And that is why the ban on her standing landed as a thunderclap in March 2025. — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

The future of work was never going to announce itself with a thunderclap. — Aj Thomas, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thunderclap

• handicap
• overlap
• wiretap
• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap

Kids Definition

thunderclap

noun

thun·​der·​clap -ˌklap 

1

: a clap of thunder

2

: something sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder