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

Max Crozier’s thunderous body check on Juraj Slafkovský in the second period ignited a Tampa comeback and led to three unanswered goals en route to a gritty, 3-2 win Sunday night to tie their series with Montreal 2-2. —Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Little details impossible to see even from the front row — fingers triggering thunderous beats from a drum machine, the sweat beading on an artist’s forehead — are intercut rhythmically with sweeping wide shots that reveal dramatic lighting schemes and enraptured masses. —Andrea Domanick, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

At one point in the second half, McDaniels delivered a thunderous dunk. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Woodland tipped his cap and ran his left hand through his hair after removing the ball out of the hole to a thunderous, extended ovation from the fans. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 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