thunderclap

[ thuhn-der-klap ]

noun

1. a crash of thunder.
2. something resembling a thunderclap, as in loudness or unexpectedness.

thunderclap

/ ˈθʌndəˌklæp /

noun

1. a loud outburst of thunder
2. something as violent or unexpected as a clap of thunder

Word History and Origins

Origin of thunderclap¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, thunderclap is from Middle English thonder clappe. See thunder, clap ¹

Example Sentences

Cranked to the max, the Gen 2 is capable of hitting 120 decibels—as loud as a thunderclap.

From Outside Online

Now, with the publication of her first book-length collection in English, “Moonlight Rests on My Left Palm,” in a lyrical translation by Fiona Sze-Lorrain, a new audience has a chance to hear the thunderclap.

From Washington Post

At Noether’s funeral, mathematician Hermann Weyl compared her sudden passing to “the echo of a thunderclap.”

From No Straight News

For some, the revelation earlier this month hit like a thunderclap, upending how they thought about the school.

From Washington Post

This lurid embrace of art and life was not an isolated thunderclap.

From The Daily Beast

These changes, however, cannot be accomplished with a moral thunderclap.

From The Daily Beast

And then (thunderclap) one of wine's darkest nemeses appeared: the artichoke.

From The Daily Beast

The sudden thunderclap gives warning that beyond the calm horizon the storm is gathering.

From Project Gutenberg

Do these gentlemen really feel the thunderclap or the enchantment of an object of art?

From Project Gutenberg

We imagined we had educated it out of them; they thought so, too; the Interdict woke them up like a thunderclap!

From Project Gutenberg

A sudden thunderclap startled them now into consciousness of the scene about them.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, a few days ago, there came a thunderclap; and teachers and girls were alike amazed to find that you were no longer a member.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blast
• clash