- 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.
Thundering drums and shredding guitar solos cut through the crowd as pyrotechnics and streamer cannons blast.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026
Merrill was known as “the Thundering Herd,” but Rubin did not appear ready to run with the pack.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026
Thundering Herd’s Charles Huff could be the next Sun Belt coach to make a big jump.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2023
Marshall: The Thundering Herd expect their strong finish to push them into the 2023 Sun Belt Conference championship chase in their second season in the league.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2022
Thundering cheers and high-pitched whistles roar through the room.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
