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

The room swelled with whoops and cheers and thunderous applause. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024

Enter Kamala Harris herself, dressed in a matching suit and greeted with thunderous applause from the audience. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 3 Nov. 2024

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause that lasted several seconds, and Rudolph grinned ear to ear, drawing a deep breath to compose herself. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024

While the company is best known for its thunderous, ultra-American V-twin cruisers, it's stretched its envelope with quite a variety of different bikes over the years, including a scandalous foray into silent electrics. —New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024

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