as in to surprise
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
everyone was thunderstruck when she quit her job without warning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunderstrike
Verb
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Critics were further surprised by the comment given Chalamet’s own connection to the dance world.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026 -
As the manager of the bridge — and the first woman to oversee it in 200 years — Evans gets up close and personal to it on a daily basis, and is constantly surprised by the technical details.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
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But Manso consistently pulls rebounds away from taller players, scores inside and makes plays that amaze his teammates.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even the assistants were shocked the red card was shown.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Uretsky, who moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast about six years ago, said he was initially shocked by the region’s high cost of living.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Simone was stunned by Morris' success.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
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Ratajkowski stunned while attending the Loewe fashion show on March 6.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kokuho was her very first film, and the prospect of attending the Academy Awards astonished and baffled her.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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The others come from flat-out surprises that will floor and astonish you.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Thunderstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstrike. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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