as in stunned
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
the teen was thunderstruck when his parents told him he had been adopted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in surprised
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
everyone was thunderstruck when she quit her job without warning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of thunderstruck
Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The baseball-loving family members were thunderstruck at spotting the T206 Honus Wagner in the frame.
—Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunderstruck
Adjective
-
When James hit the tying three, the fans wearing the Rockets’ red T-shirts stood in stunned silence.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, amid the loss of the iconic Goodall, stunned students pivoted to planting the first tree in her honor.—
Julianna Lozada,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The research team, comprising Tae Yeon Kim, a postdoctoral fellow, and Lane Martin, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rice University, was surprised by the large increase in magnetization.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Love Project’s success even surprised a school superintendent who came to hear Arleen give a talk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Padres season-ticket holders in the 300 level at Petco Park for four years, both were amazed by their baseball weekend.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Tito played and my father was amazed.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The couple was shocked to find that their left-leaning friends were coming to the same conclusion.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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In 2016, after winning the Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, Nico Rosberg shocked the racing world by abruptly retiring at 31.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And so did a few astonished gasps when a drone shot revealed just how far outside of the Mojave tent her crowd of headbanging bodies stretched.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
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One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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The parents at this kind of show, of course, are less dumbstruck than the kids: The card is not floating but instead swinging on some string.—
Joseph Vukov,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Thunderstruck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstruck. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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