thunder

1 of 2

noun

thun·​der ˈthən-dər How to pronounce thunder (audio)
Synonyms of thundernext
1
: the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical discharge
2
: bang, rumble
the thunder of big guns
3
: a loud utterance or threat

thunder

2 of 2

verb

thundered; thundering ˈthən-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce thunder (audio)

intransitive verb

1
a
: to produce thunder
—usually used impersonally
it thundered
b
: to give forth a sound that resembles thunder
horses thundered down the road
2
: roar, shout

transitive verb

1
: to utter loudly : roar
2
: to strike with a sound likened to thunder
thunderer
ˈthən-dər-ər How to pronounce thunder (audio)
noun

Synonyms of thunder

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of thunder in a Sentence

Noun Her dog is afraid of thunder. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder. We could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. the thunder of horses' hooves the distant thunder of cannon fire She accepted the award to a thunder of applause. Verb The sky thundered and the rain poured down. It was raining and thundering all night. Guns thundered in the distance. Horses thundered down the road. Trucks thundered past on the highway. “How dare you come into my house!” he thundered.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Thunderstorms that sweep through the Kansas City area producing brilliant flashes of lightning and booming thunder knocked off power to around 10,000 customers in the Kansas City area. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 The distant thunder was still faint, but its deep rumble drowned out the manic noise next door, like a great invisible hand reaching out beyond the clouds to crush the multifarious towns below. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
The raging seas were thundering and smoking in foam-laced fury at its base. — James D. Oxley, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026 This fine Michael Reaves shot, top, of Golden Tempo edging Renegade at the Churchill finish line is a grand rendering of two airborne Thoroughbreds thundering down on victory, or something very close to it. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for thunder

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English thoner, thunder, from Old English thunor; akin to Old High German thonar thunder, Latin tonare to thunder

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of thunder was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing thunder

Rhymes for thunder

See All Rhymes for thunder

Browse Nearby Words

thunberg lespedeza
thunder
thunder-and-lightning
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunder. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thunder

1 of 2 noun
thun·​der ˈthən-dər How to pronounce thunder (audio)
1
: the loud sound that follows a flash of lightning
2
: a noise like thunder

thunder

2 of 2 verb
thundered; thundering -d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce thunder (audio)
1
a
: to produce thunder
b
: to produce a sound like thunder
horses thundered down the road
2
: to utter loudly
the people thundered their approval
thunderer
-dər-ər How to pronounce thunder (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on thunder

Nglish: Translation of thunder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thunder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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