thundercracks

Storm's loud reports

Thundercracks are the sharp, explosive sounds of thunder—the sudden splitting noise that follows lightning.

The word emphasizes the abrupt, violent quality of the sound rather than the prolonged rumble: Thundercracks shook the windows.

Figuratively, any sudden loud report might be called a thundercrack: The thundercrack of the rifle echoed through the canyon.

sound

boom

Loud deep sound

crashSudden violent impact
rumbleLow rolling sound
roarLoud, deep animal cry

clap · peal · reverberation · echo · bang · resonance · deafening · explosion · crack · split

storm

lightning

Atmospheric electrical discharge

tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
downpourIntense precipitation event
cloudburstSudden heavy localized rainfall

squall · deluge · flash · bolt · electrical · atmospheric · sky · rain · dark clouds · turbulence

metaphorical

anger

Intense hostile emotion

furyIntense violent anger
rageIntense, violent anger
outburstSudden emotional release

eruption · explosion · wrath · tirade · confrontation · dramatic · intensity · power · force · breaking point

weaponry

gunfire

Discharge of weapons

cannonLarge mounted gun
artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon

shot · discharge · volley · musket · firearm · blast · report · salvo · ammunition · battlefield

Opposites

sound intensity

thundercrackssilence

Total lack of sound

stillness · hush · quiet · whispers · murmurs

storm phenomena

thundercrackslightning bolts

Electrical sky discharges

lightning strikes · sheet lightning

atmospheric conditions

thundercrackscalm

Free from agitation

clear skies · tranquility · dead calm · fair weather · doldrums

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G