thunderclap

noun

ˈthən-dər-ˌklap How to pronounce thunderclap (audio)
Definition of thunderclapnext
as in clap
a loud explosive sound awakened by the thunderclap of a large branch falling on the roof

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thunderclap 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 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 See All Example Sentences for thunderclap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunderclap
  1. clap
  2. bang
  3. boom
  4. blast
  5. roar
  6. slam
  7. crash
Noun
  • The red, as startling as a cymbal clap, strikes the eye, but the impending drama remains out of sight.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Lightning can travel miles from a storm, and officials suggest waiting 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back outdoors.
    — Manuel Bojorquez, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of clap
Noun
  • On paper, the 12 Pro gives you the most bang for your buck by pairing 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage; the S10 FE offers the least, charging an extra $50 for the same configuration.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In close-up clips of her performance, Carey also donned a blonde wig with shaggy bangs and cherry-red highlights that framed her face and seemed to blend in seamlessly with the heavy rouge along her cheekbones.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • The boom in vaccine-preventable outbreaks, cases, and tragic deaths is being fueled by slipping vaccination rates nationwide as health misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments have taken hold.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
  • DuPont benefits in some ways from the AI boom (more on that shortly), but most of its exposure to the theme disappeared with the Qnity spin-off a year ago.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of boom
Noun
  • In the old days of print journalism, before websites, social media, and even cable news required that reporters broadcast nonstop, Election Day was a blast.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Teams of emergency workers and volunteers picked through debris at the cratered blast sites, as bodies were pulled from the rubble and carried away in white plastic sheeting.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of blast
Noun
  • The merger’s gravitational roar in a fraction of second is equivalent to the amount of energy our sun emits in over a billion trillion years.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Percy Jackson says in one of the clips shown at Lucca, drawing a wild roar from fans assembled at the Teatro Moderno movie theatre.
    — John Bleasdale, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of roar
Noun
  • The body slam led to a huge scrum with Wembanyama and Jaylin Williams having to be separated after pushing each other.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Late in the second quarter of a game the Spurs would go on to win 126-97, Champagnie took off for what looked to be an uncontested baseline slam.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • Crash reported on southbound I-435 A crash has been reported on I-435 between Raytown Road/Exit 63 and Eastwood Trafficway/Exit 65.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators had not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, CHP officials said Wednesday.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of crash

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Cite this Entry

“Thunderclap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderclap. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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