1
as in to roar
to make a long loud deep noise or cry
as we got closer, the waterfall thundered louder and louder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shout
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
a hotheaded man who was always thundering about the crooks and idiots running the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thunder
The latest in what appears to be an unending stream of storms thundered through the Bay Area on Tuesday, producing violent claps of thunder and lightning bright enough to light up momentarily the gray and sometimes dark sky.
—
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
When the lights go out and the sound of 20 engines thundering to life cuts through the crowd’s silent anticipation, all eyes in the grandstands will fix on the race for 56 laps.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
But what's on board the Falcon 9 may not matter much to those watching from the ground who just want to see the 230-foot rocket thundering into the sky from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thunder
Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
When the lights go out and the sound of 20 engines thundering to life cuts through the crowd’s silent anticipation, all eyes in the grandstands will fix on the race for 56 laps.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
But what's on board the Falcon 9 may not matter much to those watching from the ground who just want to see the 230-foot rocket thundering into the sky from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thunder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunder
Verb
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The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington roars into the city’s Entertainment District starting with practice sessions Friday before culminating with the NTT IndyCar Series race Sunday.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Gui Santos roared to the crowd after finishing a layup through contact to make the deficit just 99-97 with two minutes left.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once the pedestrians are out of the way, the car slowly pulls into the intersection before stopping again as the HSI agents approach, shouting instructions for the driver to stop.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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As the brawl unfolded, the crowd could be heard shouting profanity.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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Then, while there was still enough light to see them plainly, the two came stalking out of the brush, growling and muttering.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cooper’s big brother yelled excitedly when first responders arrived at the Vetta Sports Soccerdome in Webster Groves.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In another video, Johnson picked up a second infant and held a cloth to the baby’s mouth and nose for several seconds while the child was crying.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
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Though both of them tear up, neither of them openly cries.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunder. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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