as in to surprise
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
everyone was thunderstruck when she quit her job without warning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thunderstrike
Verb
-
Jade King Carroll: Chisa creates characters and stories that continually surprise you.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025 -
Financial and retirement experts who spoke to Newsweek were not surprised by the Transamerica findings, putting the blame largely on the ever-rising cost of living.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The science behind the process continues to amaze me.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Extraordinary craftsmanship that amazed even the architect.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Read: Where science and miracles meet Pagels isn’t trying to shock the faithful.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Rockland County legislator Beth Davidson, a Democrat who is running to unseat Lawler in 2026, said communities in her district were shocked to find out the rug was pulled out from under them for important local priorities.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There are frequent shots of monkeys around this season’s White Lotus, glaring on branches just out of reach, occasionally bounding down and startling the guests.—
Joe Joyce,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
-
With her nerves already on edge, Blanche is further startled by the arrival of her brother-in-law Stanley, a brutish drunk who has bulldozed his way into Stella’s heart.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With the team shooting 14.7 percent in his minutes and rocking a 0.914 save percentage, there is an element of luck in play here.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The Mandalorian actor — a style icon in his own right — also rocked denim, along with a black T-shirt, leather jacket and glasses.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The red-carpet looks which astonished us at recent Met Galas were worn for dramatic effect, but, quietly, vintage is being worn all the time, everywhere: a vintage bias slip with a 1970s Elsa Peretti Tiffany cuff, or a ’90s Helmut Lang heel, or, from now, Maison Margiela tabis.—
Amanda Harlech,
Vogue,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Director Robert Hastie and choreographer Jenny Arnold keep the quintet of actors in such constant motion, rife with genre winks and references, that I was astonished not to see Ben Stones’s crisp, transformable base costumes of pinstripes, suspenders, and ties soaked clean through by the finale.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Thunderstrike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thunderstrike. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share