thunderous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thunderous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very loud or powerful, often in a dramatic or overwhelming way. Example: "The crowd erupted in thunderous applause after the performance, filling the auditorium with sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has been given a thunderous welcome as he delivered a speech to a crowd of 16,000 fans in Sydney Members of the Indian community from across Sydney and as far afield as Melbourne erupted in chants of "Modi, Modi, Modi" as the white-bearded 64-year-old appeared at the Allphones Arena.

The Guardian

It's grey, overcast and positively thunderous out in Mirpur today, so we may not get an uninterrupted day of cricket, but fingers crossed.

The Guardian - Sport

Running on to a pass 25 yards out, Milan's Sulley Muntari advanced to the edge of the Sassuolo penalty area before crashing a thunderous left-footed shot past Alberto Pomini.

The Guardian - Sport

It was reported that at the end of the match, in a symbolic gesture, Puskas took off his jersey and gave it to Eusebio, the young Mozambique inside-right whose thunderous right foot was the equal of Puskas's left.

The Guardian - Sport

Chevy Thunder is indeed thunderous, with a lyric about wanting to "take your father's car and drive, drive, drive" that is pure Springsteen worship.

The Guardian - Music

After a thunderous sun shower festooned Brisbane with rainbows in the last light hours of 2014, the city's night sky was lit by 10-tonne fireworks shows from rooftops and river barges.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Swerving dribbles, incisive passes, thunderous shooting and utter fearlessness soon established Gallacher as a formidable force in the Scottish game (he hit 22 goals for the national team in only 19 appearances), but it was when Newcastle United signed him from Airdrie for £5,500 in 1925 that Wee Hughie fully emerged in all his considerable glory.

The Guardian - Sport

Juventus pulled nine points clear at the top of Serie A after a thunderous strike from Carlos Tevez sunk their city rivals Torino 1-0.

The Guardian - Sport

And another thunderous blow, this time from Ellyse Perry.

The Guardian - Sport

Sandwiched in between the spot-kicks was another thunderous effort from Arter, who specialises in efforts from outside the area.

The Guardian - Sport

It should be a thunderous game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thunderous" to vividly describe sounds that are not only loud but also carry a sense of power and impact. For instance, "The audience erupted in a thunderous applause" conveys more than just loudness; it implies enthusiasm and approval.

Common error

Avoid using "thunderous" to describe visual phenomena that lack an auditory component. While you might be tempted to describe a dark, imposing sky as thunderous, it's more appropriate to use adjectives like "ominous" or "menacing" unless the sky is literally producing thunder.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thunderous" is as an adjective. Ludwig AI analysis and many examples from the web shows it is commonly used to describe nouns relating to sound, emphasizing their loudness, force, and impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thunderous" is an adjective used to describe sounds that are exceptionally loud, powerful, and impactful. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. When employing this term, it's crucial to ensure it accurately conveys the intensity you intend, avoiding misuse in solely visual descriptions. Remember, alternatives like "deafening" or "uproarious" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deafening

Indicates an extremely loud noise, almost to the point of causing hearing impairment; focuses on the intensity of sound.

uproarious

Emphasizes a loud and uncontrolled expression of amusement or approval, typically from a crowd.

boisterous

Suggests a noisy and energetic atmosphere, often associated with lively celebrations or gatherings.

resounding

Highlights the echoing or reverberating quality of a sound, indicating its widespread impact.

sonorous

Describes a rich, deep, and full sound, often associated with musical instruments or voices.

tumultuous

Focuses on the turbulent and chaotic nature of a sound or event, suggesting great disturbance.

clamorous

Indicates a loud and confused noise, often arising from a crowd or a scene of disorder.

roaring

Suggests a deep, continuous, and powerful sound, similar to that of a lion or a large engine.

जोरदार

Expresses something powerful, energetic and impactful.

earsplitting

Indicates an extremely high-pitched and piercing sound that is painful to the ears.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "thunderous" in a sentence?

Use "thunderous" to describe sounds that are exceptionally loud and impactful, often resembling thunder. For example, "The waterfall crashed down with a thunderous roar" or "The crowd gave a thunderous ovation".

What are some alternatives to "thunderous"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "deafening", "uproarious", or "boisterous".

Is "thunderous" only used to describe literal sounds of thunder?

No, "thunderous" can be used metaphorically to describe any sound that is intensely loud and powerful, even if it's not directly related to actual thunder. For example, you might describe "thunderous applause".

How does "thunderous" differ from "loud"?

"Thunderous" implies a greater intensity and resonance than simply "loud". While "loud" describes the volume of a sound, "thunderous" suggests a deep, powerful, and often overwhelming auditory experience. For example "thunderous applause" has a much stronger impact than "loud applause".