thunderbolt
noun
thun·der·bolt
| \ ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt
\
\
Definition of thunderbolt
1a
: a single discharge of lightning with the accompanying thunder
b
: an imaginary elongated mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash
2a
: 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
In the concert industry, no lightning strike has been as difficult to conjure again as the thunderbolt that landed on a dairy farm filled with a massive herd of shirtless humanity on the weekend of Aug. 15, 1969. — James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "There could only be one Woodstock," 15 Aug. 2019 New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen woke up this sleepy trade deadline with a thunderbolt Sunday afternoon, acquiring Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman for the Mets’ top two pitching prospects. — Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Marcus Stroman trade is a stroke of genius by the Mets," 29 July 2019 Pikachu’s thunderbolt struck America in 1998 and changed the lives of a generation. — Eric Margolis, Vox, "The dark side of Japan’s anime industry," 2 July 2019 The current African Women's Footballer of the Year uncorked a thunderbolt to the top right corner past the outstretched arms of Spanish keeper Sandra Panos to give South Africa a 25th-minute lead. — Aimee Lewis And Motez Bishara, CNN, "Giulia Gwinn: Germany teenager scores brilliant winner on Women's World Cup debut," 8 June 2019 The same day as The Society premiered on Netflix (May 10), Pokémon Detective Pikachu thunderbolt into theaters. — Gabe Bergado, Teen Vogue, "Kathryn Newton on How She'd Survive "The Society" and Channeling Jigglypuff on the "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" Red Carpet," 14 May 2019 The Red Devils defeated Coutinho and Neymar's side 2-1, thanks to an unlucky own goal by Fernandinho and a thunderbolt in the bottom corner by Kevin De Bruyne. — SI.com, "'We're Sad Because We Wanted to Win Badly': Philippe Coutinho Opens Up After Brazil's WC Elimination," 8 July 2018 The crowns of the title — there are five — look like antique versions of astronaut headgear: gilded copper helmets, each studded with gems, encrusted with repoussé plaques, and topped by five-pronged antennas — the vajra or thunderbolt of wisdom. — New York Times, "The Art of Staying Cool: 10 Can’t-Miss Summer Shows in New York," 4 July 2018 Japan doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Inui unleashed a thunderbolt shot off his right boot which flew past the despairing Courtois. — Ryland James, chicagotribune.com, "Chadli fires Belgium into World Cup's last eight," 2 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thunderbolt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for thunderbolt
thunderbolt
noun
English Language Learners Definition of thunderbolt
: a flash of lightning that makes a loud sound of thunder and that hits someone or something
See the full definition for thunderbolt in the English Language Learners Dictionary
thunderbolt
noun
thun·der·bolt
| \ ˈthən-dər-ˌbōlt
\
\
Kids Definition of thunderbolt
: a flash of lightning and the thunder that follows it