thunderstruck

[ thuhn-der-struhk ]

adjective

1. overcome with consternation; confounded; astounded:

   He was thunderstruck by the news of his promotion.

   Synonyms: overcome

2. Archaic. struck struck by a thunderbolt.

thunderstruck

/ ˈθʌndəˌstrʌk; ˈθʌndəˌstrɪkən /

adjective

1. completely taken aback; amazed or shocked
2. rare.
   struck by lightning

Word History and Origins

Origin of thunderstruck¹

First recorded in 1605–15; thunder + struck

Example Sentences

More than 90 million Americans watched, thunderstruck, as TV helicopters provided live shots of the action.

From Seattle Times

Saba is as thunderstruck by the mountains of the Caucasus as he is emotionally wrecked by ever-deeper examples of war’s consequences.

From Los Angeles Times

When he unexpectedly chose the Angels over nearly two dozen other suitors, thunderstruck general manager Billy Eppler jumped from his chair and fell to the floor when he tried to sit back down.

From Los Angeles Times

The subcommittee Republicans profess to be thunderstruck that a theory about COVID’s origin could be posed and discarded in the space of a few days, but Andersen and Garry tried to explain that they’re wrong.

From Los Angeles Times

Diamond recalled she was “thunderstruck” years ago upon seeing Krymov’s wordless take on “Don Quixote,” with the whimsically phonetic title “Sir Vantes. Donkey Hot.”

From New York Times