thunderclap

noun

ˈthən-dər-ˌklap How to pronounce thunderclap (audio)
Definition of thunderclapnext
as in clap
a loud explosive sound awakened by the thunderclap of a large branch falling on the roof

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 thunderclap There are also thunderclaps, which are loud, explosive sounds of thunder that can accompany an extremely close lightning strike. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 16 July 2026 The future of work was never going to announce itself with a thunderclap. — Aj Thomas, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The origin of the thunderclap (sometimes called the Viking clap) is disputed, with several clubs in Europe claiming to have started the trend, but Iceland popularised it and brought it to the world stage. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 June 2026 And when thunderclaps rattled their chests, the Chinese felt a deity punishing wrongdoers. — Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for thunderclap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunderclap
  1. clap
  2. bang
  3. boom
  4. blast
  5. roar
  6. slam
  7. crash
Noun
  • Lightning can travel miles from a storm, and officials suggest waiting 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back outdoors.
    — Manuel Bojorquez, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Fans did the New Day clap in anticipation for the popular former WWE stable, and Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods answered the bell, joining Swerve Strickland as the wildcard team.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of clap
Noun
  • Even without modification, white privacy lights are easily obscured by bangs and a bright sunny day.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And speaking of being just long enough, her bangs are just long enough to get stuck in her eyelashes.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • Some companies supplying the AI boom are already making money, Hayes said, pointing to memory chipmakers and Nvidia.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The bootleg boom Although there are occasional calls from companies like Merch Traffic to crack down on bootleg apparel, hardly anyone in position to do something about it seems to care.
    — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of boom
Noun
  • And while a blast of cooler air is set to arrive this weekend along with a swift fall breeze, high temperatures will remain near record levels through Thursday across the state, and that’s not even to mention the records that have been broken.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, he’ll probably get blamed for having a Slim Pickens-style blast on the bomb that buried Warner Bros.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of blast
Noun
  • The roar of the engines vibrated through the fuselage, rattling bones and teeth, while supply crates shifted and groaned with every lurch.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Finally, the structure crumbled in a roar of broken concrete and a cloud of dust.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of roar
Noun
  • The 16th slam in Yankees postseason history gave Rice six RBIs, matching the franchise record for a postseason game accomplished by four other players.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Lunch hour has its beginning and its ending, and somehow the whole teeming chaos of midcentury Midtown must be crammed within it, before the hour slams shut.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • Kaur’s brother, Jathinder Singh, said his sister was unable to react after the crash.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The death of legendary Argentine singer Carlos Gardel in a plane crash in Medellín in 1935 deepened the city’s already strong connection to the dance form and turned Medellín into one of tango’s most passionate homes outside Argentina.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of crash

Browse Nearby Words

thunder
thunderclap
thunderclaps
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Cite this Entry

“Thunderclap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderclap. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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