thunderclap

American  

[thuhn-der-klap] / ˈθʌn dərˌklæp /

noun

1. a crash of thunder.

2. something resembling a thunderclap, as in loudness or unexpectedness.

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thunderclap British  

/ ˈθʌndəˌklæp /

noun

1. a loud outburst of thunder

2. something as violent or unexpected as a clap of thunder

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Etymology

Origin of thunderclap

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

Example Sentences

The producers of which had the good sense to stream worldwide for all of us outside the nation’s capital who wanted to experience the thunderclap of Page’s Lear.

From Los Angeles Times

The voices still, followed by explosions of noise—louder than a tree snapping, softer than a thunderclap.

From Literature

The couple’s deaths have sent a thunderclap through Hollywood and beyond, partly because the Reiners had so many friends and connections in creative and political circles.

From Los Angeles Times

In junior high, reading a story in Life magazine about the routine day of a Midwestern doctor “was like hearing a thunderclap.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He remains a thunderclap from the baseline, but has options other than ferocious groundstrokes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blast
• clash