thunderstruck 1 of 2

adjective

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

thunderstruck

2 of 2

verb

past tense of thunderstrike
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thunderstruck
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
  1. stunned
  2. surprised
  3. amazed
  4. shocked
  5. astonished
  6. startled
  7. dumbstruck
Adjective
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety when he was attacked, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Her decision to campaign publicly for Chan surprised some observers, given Wiener’s years of legislative experience and prominence in California Democratic politics.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • To mark the occasion, Billy Corgan surprised the massive Chicago crowd by bringing out special guests Olivia Rodrigo and Yungblud.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • Every guest who reaches the temple's 17th-century wooden stage is amazed by the view over the grounds and the city beyond.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • While the show is used to seeing some truly notable figures grace its halls — both as part of the production and as guests — there was one guest who left everyone in the studio amazed.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Definition of amazed
Verb
  • Consuela Ardon, co-owner of Las Palmas, her business for 19 years, said the arrest shocked her customers, many of whom are Hispanic.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Definition of astonished
Verb
  • Witness Hoon Chan Sim, 53, was sitting on a park lawn with his dog near West Drive when he was startled by the squeal of braking tires, and spun around to see the horrific collision.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of startled
Adjective
  • And she is just completely dumbstruck by that.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Lyons can be a brilliant agent of chaos, a person whose presence left castmates starstruck before her bluntness left them dumbstruck.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 13 July 2023
Definition of dumbstruck

Browse Nearby Words

thunderstriking
thunderstruck
thunk
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Cite this Entry

“Thunderstruck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstruck. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thunderstruck

Nglish: Translation of thunderstruck for Spanish Speakers

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