thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: producing thunder

b

: making or accompanied by a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

2

: thundering

thunderously adverb

Synonyms of thunderous

• loud
• deafening
• roaring
• ringing
• thundering

Examples of thunderous in a Sentence

The audience responded with thunderous applause.

the last thunderous chord of the symphony rang throughout the hall

Recent Examples on the Web

Davidson's request was immediately met with cheers and thunderous applause from the studio audience. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

When the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, the natural instinct was to focus on the prodigious point production (57th all time), the volume rebounding (71st all time), the thunderous dunks and the ferocious forays to the basket. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Musgraves stood perched at the mic with her eyes closed for most of the performance, which was met by thunderous applause from the audience. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

To thunderous applause, Kirchner praised the expansive welfare programs of his mother's presidency, which ended over a decade ago. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

: producing thunder

2

: making a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

thunderously adverb