thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: producing thunder

b

: making or accompanied by a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

2

: thundering

thunderously adverb

Synonyms

• blaring
• blasting
• booming
• clamorous
• clangorous
• deafening
• earsplitting
• loud
• piercing
• plangent
• resounding
• ringing
• roaring
• slam-bang
• sonorous
• stentorian
• thundering

Examples of thunderous in a Sentence

The audience responded with thunderous applause.

the last thunderous chord of the symphony rang throughout the hall

Recent Examples on the Web

Before that thunderous strike with his supposedly weaker right foot, Lamine previously scored in the same ground but the goal was disallowed. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

McAvoy had five hits, including a thunderous one on Canada superstar Connor McDavid in the first period. —Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025

Photos and a video released by KCNA showed Kim at a ceremony receiving thunderous applause from thousands of people, many of them wearing protective helmets, against a backdrop showing images of modern apartments and high-rises. —Reuters, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025

McAvoy’s thunderous and clean body check on Connor McDavid in the first period also got his team going. —Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

thunderous

adjective

thun·​der·​ous ˈthən-d(ə-)rəs 

1

: producing thunder

2

: making a noise like thunder

thunderous applause

thunderously adverb