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earthshaking

earthshaking

6.5
A very loud sound that seems to shake the ground
  • adjective
  • /ˈɜrθˌʃeɪkɪŋ/
translation icon : impactante
  • The announcement of the concert was earthshaking, attracting fans from all over the country.

Examples

  • The political rally culminated in an earthshaking speech that resonated with thousands of attendees.

  • It is as earthshaking as one would imagine to watch a couple birth together and bring their baby into the world without the bells and whistles going off and mom being thrown into stirrups or leg supports.

    Blog text (4)
  • Nothing earthshaking for either of them, solvable problems, just annoying.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • With a great, earthshaking leap, it bounded away, and in another moment, it raced into the distance, thundering down the valley like a gigantic, maddened elephant.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • When the earthquake struck, the earthshaking noise left everyone in shock and fear.

Synonyms

bone-shaking
vsearthshaking
7.3

A very strong movement you feel in your body from loud sound or a fast ride

is felt as shaking the ground rather than just in the body
thundering
vsearthshaking
3.2

Making a very loud deep rumbling sound like a storm

focuses on power that seems to shake the ground rather than sound quality

Antonyms

104 4.1

Not important or too small to matter

45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

How Powerful

earthshaking
6.5
thunderous
15 4.1
loud
733 1.0
audible
43 3.5
faint
148 2.7

Surface Forms

earthshaking positive

Morphology

earthshaking = earth + shake (transparent) = earth + shake + ing

The meaning is a straightforward literal composition: something that shakes the earth (earth + shake + -ing).

Etymology

Earthshaking comes from the simple parts earth and shake, like in earthquake, where the ground moves or 'shakes' violently. So an earthshaking sound or blast is one that feels as if it makes the earth itself move.