thunderbolt

noun

thun·​der·​bolt ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt 

1

a

: a single discharge of lightning with the accompanying thunder

b

: an imaginary elongated mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash

2

a

: a person or thing that resembles lightning in suddenness, effectiveness, or destructive power

b

: a vehement threat or censure

Examples of thunderbolt in a Sentence

He was struck dead by a thunderbolt.

Recent Examples on the Web

An early advocate of preventing space wars by outlawing the deployment of weapons systems in orbit, Marshall predicts that cutting away at the possibility of staging thunderbolt attacks in terrestrial wars could suppress war-making in general. —Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

In those days, watching a University of Alabama kicker trot out for a field goal was like looking up at the sky and seeing thunderbolts in the distance. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024

Check out the new record-breaking show, complete with rudimentary motion graphics, soaring rainbow birds, thunderbolts crashing down from heaven, a wild 3D drone mothership, complete with screens on the sides, and a stunning 3D representation of the city of Shenzhen itself. —New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2024

But even in a relatively small amount of screen time, the rawness of Manville’s performance hits like a thunderbolt. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

thunderbolt

noun

thun·​der·​bolt ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt 

: a flash of lightning and the thunder that follows it