thunderstrike

verb

ˈthən-dər-ˌstrīk How to pronounce thunderstrike (audio)
Definition of thunderstrikenext
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
  1. surprise
  2. amaze
  3. shock
  4. stun
  5. startle
  6. astonish
Verb
  • This isn’t meant to be a traditional evaluation so much as a look at which teams surprised us.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Every March and September, this event attracts spectators from all over to Apache Junction, eager to witness this breathtaking moment when nature surprises us.
    — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • But of the many falsehoods told by them, there was one which quite amazed me.
    — Agnes Callard, The New York Review of Books, 18 Aug. 2026
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • After the sentencing, Lee's wife, Elizabeth Tang, told reporters there is no freedom of speech in Hong Kong and that the sentences would shock and anger many people.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Yemen’s government was shocked by slow Saudi response The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping on the Red Sea since declaring a blockade in July, as well as hitting oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia.
    — Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • Video footage from an AP camera crew shows damage to the building, then stunned and wounded people emerging.
    — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Suhey, 68, died in his sleep Saturday night, according to multiple teammates who were stunned.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Her characters appears to startle Jeanie in one photo, clad in a chic black and gold ensemble.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The unpredictable motion scares them off, startling them and throwing them off balance.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of startle
Verb
  • The crowd in the picture was equally astonished while the event unfolded.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The judge for Lam's initial court appearance in Miami sounded astonished by a prosecutor's summary of his lavish spending.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of astonish
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.

Browse Nearby Words

thunderstorms
thunderstrike
thunderstrikes
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Cite this Entry

“Thunderstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstrike. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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