thunderstrike

[thuhn-der-strahyk]

verb (used with object), thun·der·struck

[thuhn-der-struhk] /ˈθʌn dərˌstrʌk/, thun·der·struck or thun·der·strick·en

[thuhn-der-strik-uh n] /ˈθʌn dərˌstrɪk ən/, thun·der·strik·ing.

Archaic. to strike with a thunderbolt.
to astonish; dumfound.

Origin of thunderstrike

1605–15; probably back formation from earlier thunderstricken (adj.); see thunder, strike

thunderstruck

[thuhn-der-struhk]

adjective

overcome with consternation; confounded; astounded: He was thunderstruck by the news of his promotion.
Archaic. struck by a thunderbolt.

Also thun·der·strick·en

[thuhn-der-strik-uhn] /ˈθʌn dərˌstrɪk ən/.

Origin of thunderstruck

First recorded in 1605–15; thunder + struck

Synonyms for thunderstruck

1. dumbfounded, flabbergasted, overcome.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for thunderstricken

Historical Examples of thunderstricken

Louis, thunderstricken, could scarcely believe his own eyes.
Political Women (Vol. 1 of 2)
Sutherland Menzies
The speech had thunderstricken the priest and electrified the hearers.
The Hero of the People
Alexandre Dumas
I had hardly heard them when Millière fell as if thunderstricken.
History of the Commune of 1871
P. Lissagary
The aghast and thunderstricken philosophers remained gazing at each other for a moment.
The Twilight of the Gods, and Other Tales
Richard Garnett
Don Guzman covered his face with his hands, discouraged, thunderstricken by what he had just heard.
The Bee Hunters
Gustave Aimard

British Dictionary definitions for thunderstricken

thunderstruck

thunderstricken (ˈθʌndəˌstrɪkən)

adjective

completely taken aback; amazed or shocked
rare struck by lightning

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for thunderstricken

thunderstruck

adj.

1610s, from thunder (n.) + past tense of strike. Originally figurative; the literal sense always has been rare.