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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None of this would have surprised a previous generation of German thinkers—the group known as the Institute for Social Research, or the Frankfurt School.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026 -
Stage Is Only One Piece of the Story One reason patients are surprised by the complexity of early breast cancer is that stage alone doesn’t tell the full story.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Few things amaze me like people who can solve a Rubik's Cube.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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This technology still amazes me.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Verb
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And here's why Mitch Albom says we can't be shocked anymore by Moore's firing.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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The shooting left the Newark community shocked and outraged.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ruffy stunned Chandler with a spinning back kick then landed a short right that dropped his opponent.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
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Brazil, meanwhile, had to battle back after Morocco stunned them with a goal before the first hydration break.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Saturday, startling his sister.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
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The singular worker realized that the porta-potty was in the way, inserted forks from the loader into the structure to move it, and was startled when Kolbe exited, Rush said.—
Darcie Moran,
USA Today,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the days after her state-meet performance, she still was astonished by her record-setting discus throw.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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And yet, while the animals in these stories are sacrificed to selfish purpose and whim, the human characters are astonished and haunted by them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Thunderstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstrike. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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