Thunder — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈthən-dər/ thun·der

Meaning & Definition of Thunder

Thunder (noun)

  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
  3. a loud utterance or threat

Thunder (verb)

  1. to produce thunder —usually used impersonally
  2. to give forth a sound that resembles thunder
  3. roar, shout

Thunder (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a long loud deep noise or cry

    "as we got closer, the waterfall thundered louder and louder"

    similar: bellow, boom, growl, roar
    related: grumble, roll, rumble, bang, blare, blast, peal, scream, screech, shriek, squall, bawl, call, cry, holler, hoot, shout, whoop, yell, bell, caterwaul, howl, wail, yowl
    near: grunt, mouth, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper, mewl, pule, squeak, whimper

  2. to speak so as to be heard at a distance

    "a hotheaded man who was always thundering about the crooks and idiots running the government"

    similar: bawl, bay, bellow, call, cry, holler, hollo, roar, shout, sound off, vociferate, yell
    related: crow, whoop, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squeak, squeal, caterwaul, howl, ululate, wail, yawp, yowl, hail, speak out, speak up
    near: breathe, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper

Related Entry: Steal (verb)

Steal is a different word from Thunder. The synonyms below are for steal, not for thunder.

  1. to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep

    "the guy who tried to steal my car was sentenced to a year in jail"

    similar: appropriate, boost (slang), filch, heist, hook, lift, misappropriate, nick (British slang), nip, pilfer, pinch, pocket, purloin, rip off, snitch, swipe, thieve, make away with, make off with, run off with, walk off with
    related: burglarize, knock over, rob, loot, pillage, plunder, sack, carjack, hijack, pick, rifle, poach, rustle, shoplift, collar, grab, grasp, nail, seize, snatch, take, mooch, sponge, abduct, kidnap, shanghai, spirit
    near: buy, purchase, bestow, contribute, donate, give, hand over, present

  2. to move about in a sly or secret manner

    "the teenagers were able to steal past a security guard and enter the fairgrounds without paying admission"

    similar: lurk, mooch, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake, sneak
    related: crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm, ghost, pad, tiptoe

Related Entry: Steal (from) (verb)

Steal (from) is a different word from Thunder. The synonyms below are for steal (from), not for thunder.

  1. to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully

    "little wonder that the store went out of business, as its employees had been stealing from it for years"

    similar: burglarize, burgle, knock off, knock over, rip off, rob, take off (slang)
    related: ransack, rifle, despoil, loot, pillage, plunder, ravish, sack, spoil, strip, bleed, break in, cheat, chisel, cozen, defraud, exploit, fleece, hustle, mulct, pluck, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle, hold up, mug, roll, stick up

Related Entry: Stealer (noun)

Stealer is a different word from Thunder. The synonyms below are for stealer, not for thunder.

  1. one who steals

    "the Internet has simply provided stealers and scammers with a new venue for their crimes"

    similar: larcenist, pincher, purloiner, robber, thief
    related: burglar, cat burglar, cracksman, housebreaker, picklock, safecracker, embezzler, grafter, klepto, kleptomaniac, sneak thief, cutpurse, dip (slang), pickpocket, pilferer, shoplifter, abductor, carjacker, hijacker, kidnapper, skyjacker, despoiler, looter, pillager, plunderer, ransacker, ravisher, poacher, rustler, smuggler, bandit, footpad, highwayman, pirate, mugger

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Thunder

The most common words with a similar meaning to Thunder:

bellow, boom, growl, roar, bawl, bay, call, cry, holler, hollo, shout, sound off, vociferate, yell

Related Words for Thunder

grumble, roll, rumble, bang, blare, blast, peal, scream, screech, shriek, squall, hoot, whoop, bell, caterwaul, howl, wail, yowl, crow, shrill, squeak, squeal, ululate, yawp, hail, speak out, speak up

Near Antonyms of Thunder

grunt, mouth, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper, mewl, pule, squeak, whimper, breathe

Word Forms of Thunder

Inflections: thundered, thundering

Derived words: thunderer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Thunder

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

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Thunder

  • Topics: Weather & Nature

Words & Phrases Containing Thunder

thunder egg, thunder lizard, steal one's thunder, a face like thunder, steal someone's thunder

Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder

What does "Thunder" mean?

"Thunder" means the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical discharge. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical discharge. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Thunder"?

Other words for "Thunder" include bellow, boom, growl, roar, bawl, bay, call and cry. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Thunder" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Thunder"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Thunder". Common alternatives include bellow, boom, growl, roar, bawl, bay, call, cry, holler and hollo.

How do you use "Thunder" in a sentence?

Examples of "Thunder" in a sentence: "as we got closer, the waterfall thundered louder and louder"; "a hotheaded man who was always thundering about the crooks and idiots running the government".

Is "Thunder" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Thunder" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Thunder"?

"Thunder" is pronounced /ˈthən-dər/ and divided into syllables as thun·der.

What is the origin of the word "Thunder"?

"Thunder" comes from Middle English thoner, thunder, from Old English thunor; akin to Old High German thonar thunder, Latin tonare to thunder. First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Thunder" meaning "to make a long loud deep noise or cry"?

When "Thunder" (verb) means to make a long loud deep noise or cry, synonyms include bellow, boom, growl and roar.