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

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

The origin of the thunderclap (sometimes called the Viking clap) is disputed, with several clubs in Europe claiming to have started the trend, but Iceland popularised it and brought it to the world stage. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 June 2026

And when thunderclaps rattled their chests, the Chinese felt a deity punishing wrongdoers. — Quanta Magazine, 6 May 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