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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Demand for the prog-rockers surprised even Rush stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026 -
Deoras said the discovery of those invariants was the finding that surprised him most.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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This technology still amazes me.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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What still amazes a man who has to be hard to impress is the Gunnison Tunnel.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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You'll be shocked to know that Lugo will be going through concussion protocol before his next start.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
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Dozens of older homes, most built during the area’s postwar building boom, were in a state of shocking disrepair.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Lithgow, to the contrary, was clearly stunned — and deeply honored.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The speed stunned Hamlin, who credited his team with some quick fixes that stabilized the wounded vehicle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The combination of flashing light and movement startles them.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
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Her voice startled me, both rough and smooth—like a bottle of whiskey set in front of a princess.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
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With a turn of a crank, Edison astonished the dozen or so staffers who had gathered around the contraption.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
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Needless to say, the Pinnacles' beauty has continued to both befuddle and astonish visitors today.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Thunderstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstrike. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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