thunderclap
/ˈθʌndəklæp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθʌndərklæp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthən-dər-ˌklap How to pronounce thunderclap (audio)/ (ame, mw)
thunderclap — noun
- thunderclapsingular
- thunderclapsplural
1. the sudden, explosive noise that thunder makes during a storm — one sharp boom r
the sudden, explosive noise that thunder makes during a storm — one sharp boom rather than a long rumble
A thunderclap rattled the teacups on the shelf and startled everyone.
Lakshmi covered her ears as another thunderclap boomed right above the tent.
subordinate clause: 'as another thunderclap boomed...'
There was a thunderclap so loud the car alarm went off.
The first thunderclap of the monsoon sent the children running indoors.
Feng's horse reared up when a thunderclap split the quiet afternoon sky.
- thunder
more general; refers to the overall rumbling sound during a storm, not necessarily a single crash
- clap
can describe any sharp slapping noise (hands, door); 'thunderclap' is specific to storms
- boom
a deep resonant sound from any source (cannons, speakers); less sharp than a thunderclap
- crash
suggests something breaking or colliding; lacks the natural-weather association
文法句型
a thunderclap + verb (echoed, shook, rattled, boomed)
用法筆記
Refers to a single, sudden crash of thunder, not the prolonged rumbling that follows. For continuous thunder sounds, use 'thunder' or 'rumble of thunder.'
常見錯誤
2. an event or piece of news that arrives without warning and causes great shock or
an event or piece of news that arrives without warning and causes great shock or distress, much like thunder splitting a quiet sky
The news of the factory closing hit the town like a thunderclap.
figurative pattern: hit [someone] like a thunderclap
Yael's resignation came as a thunderclap to everyone at the office.
figurative pattern: come as a thunderclap to [someone]
The court's decision landed like a thunderclap among the protesters.
Padma received the diagnosis with the force of a thunderclap.
His sudden confession was a thunderclap that changed everything between them.
- bombshell
more informal; specifically refers to shocking news, especially about personal matters
- shock
more general and widely used; can describe anything from mild surprise to severe distress
- bolt from the blue
idiomatic phrase with the same meaning; emphasises the total unexpectedness of the event
- earthquake
figurative; suggests a larger-scale disruption affecting many people or an institution
文法句型
come as a thunderclap to [someone]
hit [someone] like a thunderclap
land like a thunderclap
用法筆記
Always figurative. Most often appears in the pattern 'like a thunderclap' or 'as a thunderclap' to emphasise how sudden and shocking an event feels. Almost always carries a negative or distressing connotation — it is rarely used for happy surprises.