thunderclap
1
6.5
- noun
- /ˈθʌndərˌklæp/
:
sorpresa
- This idea struck Sarai like a thunderclap.
- hit like a thunderclap
Examples
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Recovering in Guildford, England, at the end of that year-long ordeal, he had suffered a thunderclap of nearly unendurable grief, a bereavement that would leave him stunned and crazy in the night for the remainder.
Fiction book (2001) -
Suddenly, there was a thunderclap.
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Thursday's ruling could be a deafening political thunderclap, but may be followed by a kind of lull as Congress tries to figure out what, if anything, it can do to respond to the ruling.
Blog text (12) -
The day after the "thunderclap" that was the White Paper, Indian leaders released a letter denouncing the government's intentions, signed by the eight chiefs and co-chairs of the year-old National Indian Brotherhood.
Fiction book (2002) -
And so we've come full circle—back to the "thunderclap" decade of the 1960s, when the stage was set for corruption to grow in proportion to the money poured into the system.
Fiction book (2002) -
"To recap: Monday's thunderclap news began when the Walt Disney Company announced the acquisition of Lucasfilm (for $4.05 billion in cash and stock) and the ramp-up for Episode 7.
Blog text (22) -
To recap: Tuesday's thunderclap news began when the Walt Disney Company announced the acquisition of Lucasfilm (for $4.05 billion in cash and stock) and the ramp-up for Episode 7.
Blog text (25) -
The announcement of the sudden merger came as a thunderclap to the entire industry.
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When the news broke of the unexpected layoffs, it was a complete thunderclap for the employees.
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The revelation of the scandal hit the community like a thunderclap, leaving everyone in shock.
Synonyms
738
1.0
An event that happens suddenly and is not expected
56
6.1
A piece of news that is very surprising and shocks people
41
2.1
A sudden violent hit that moves something strongly
22
5.3
An event or piece of news that surprises people very much
11
3.1
A short, sudden announcement about important breaking news
4
5.1
A sudden unexpected event that causes great shock
2
6.5
A sudden event that shocks people and is not expected
How Shocking
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Thunderclap is also used as a strong picture from thunder + clap to show a sudden shock. A helpful way to remember is to think of big news 'hitting' people like a sudden crash of thunder, so thunderclap means a sudden, shocking event.