thunderbolt
noun
thun·der·bolt
ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt 
1
a
: a single discharge of lightning with the accompanying thunder
b
: an imaginary elongated mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash
2
a
: a person or thing that resembles lightning in suddenness, effectiveness, or destructive power
b
: a vehement threat or censure
Examples of thunderbolt in a Sentence
He was struck dead by a thunderbolt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gueye’s two thunderbolts and Iliman Ndiaye’s solo effort left them with a goal difference of +2 and sitting fifth in the third-place rankings.
—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Nolan considered casting actors to play gods throwing thunderbolts from Mount Olympus but settled on something more primal.
—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
The story goes that the Roman god Saturn, fed up with human belligerence, threw a thunderbolt that split the earth open and created a crater from which sprang miraculous, calming water.
—
Chiara Barzini,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
Or Scott Spiezio, whose three-run thunderbolt into the right field box seats in Game 6 of the World Series against San Francisco started the comeback from a 3-2 series deficit that led to those looks of shocked amazement among long-time Angels employees the next night.
—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thunderbolt
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Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Nolan considered casting actors to play gods throwing thunderbolts from Mount Olympus but settled on something more primal.
—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
The story goes that the Roman god Saturn, fed up with human belligerence, threw a thunderbolt that split the earth open and created a crater from which sprang miraculous, calming water.
—
Chiara Barzini,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
Or Scott Spiezio, whose three-run thunderbolt into the right field box seats in Game 6 of the World Series against San Francisco started the comeback from a 3-2 series deficit that led to those looks of shocked amazement among long-time Angels employees the next night.
—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thunderbolt
Cite this Entry
“Thunderbolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunderbolt. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thunderbolt
noun
thun·der·bolt
ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt
: a flash of lightning and the thunder that follows it
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