- present participle of thunder.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thundering
before 1100; Middle English thundring, Old English thunring thunder. See thunder, -ing 2, -ing 1
Explanation
Thundering describes a sound that is deep and resounding—or resembling thunder. The thundering sound of feet hurrying down the hall is one sign that school's over for the day. The sound of a thunderstorm can be described as thundering of course, but so can other loud, booming noises. You might love the thundering sound of a rock concert but hate the thundering voice of an angry parent scolding a child. This adjective comes from the verb thunder, which we can trace back to a root that means "resound."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Months after her hip-replacement surgery, the pair set out for Iceland’s little-visited Westfjords—putting both travelers to the test against winding roads, thundering waterfalls and uneven hiking trails.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Once inside the park before 8 a.m., their first stop was the Bridalveil Fall Trail, a short trek that takes visitors right to the base of the thundering cascade.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Noise level, given we're dealing with state-of-the-art racing machines thundering around a circuit, is actually a big talking point currently and particularly pertinent for neurodivergent fans.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Dinwiddie evolves from being a thundering doubter about Washington to being an equally thundering supporter who refuses to accept the younger man’s resignation after a setback.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Women already inside the house replied to the newcomer with similar cheers, and their sounds merged into a thundering song that reached up to the clouds.
From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat
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