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thunderstrike

[thuhn-der-strahyk]
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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.
  1. Archaic. to strike with a thunderbolt.
  2. to astonish; dumfound.
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Origin of thunderstrike

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

thunderstruck

[thuhn-der-struhk]
adjective
  1. overcome with consternation; confounded; astounded: He was thunderstruck by the news of his promotion.
  2. Archaic. struck by a thunderbolt.
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Also thun·der·strick·en [thuhn-der-strik-uh n] /ˈθʌn dərˌstrɪk ən/.

Origin of thunderstruck

First recorded in 1605–15; thunder + struck

Synonyms

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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

  • 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.

  • The aghast and thunderstricken philosophers remained gazing at each other for a moment.

  • 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
  1. completely taken aback; amazed or shocked
  2. rare struck by lightning
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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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper