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
-
The children watched in stunned silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Payton went to a podium in street clothes, told reporters Nix was out for the season with a fractured ankle, and the Broncos’ locker room came away as stunned as the rest of the world.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What surprised him most was how often that same feeling appears in everyday life.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
However, JonHi, 16, and Rinny, 18, both died within a short period, leaving zoo staff surprised and concerned.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Coan was amazed with how quickly Colaizzi got back up to speed.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Jimmy Fallon was amazed that Charles said that to Kelce, and not just because the 6-foot-5 Kelce could have pounded the actor into a pulp.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The news shocked those who played both for and against Belichick.—
Amos Morale III,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
On March 12, Ujlaky’s friends, family and the community were shocked when police arrested Bryce Dickey, also of Spring Creek, and charged him with the crime.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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Live, the 11-year-old actor shared his astonished reaction to getting the note.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The exchange startled Loftus, who this month shared the correspondence with the Orlando Sentinel.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
YouTube’s growth as a competitor to traditional television has startled the industry in recent years.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
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 30 Jan. 2026.
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