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
-
Summer Anne Lee, a presidential fashion historian and professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), told Newsweek at the time that Sánchez Bezos’ fashion statement on the historic day left her stunned.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
You’d be surprised how many students hold their breath while exercising.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The appearance of Celia Cruz, the undisputed queen of salsa, among the 2026 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, may have surprised some.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 94-year-old I Dream of Jeannie star shared a picture with husband Jon Eicholtz for Easter, and fans were amazed at how glowing the actress looked.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Everybody in that stadium was amazed.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The final meeting between the Celtics and Magic came on Sunday when Boston's bench players shocked Orlando's starters in a 113-108 win.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was dragged into the mob and suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, was disappointed but not surprised by the latest milestone in the dismantling of Capitol riot prosecutions.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
-
Horner dropped a package, McGuire said, and was startled by the team.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
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 16 Apr. 2026.
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