Thunder can be loud, sudden, and sometimes even scary. It rolls through the sky and shakes the ground. Writers often use similes to describe thunder in creative ways. A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as” to help the reader picture or feel the sound better.
This article will share similes that describe what thunder sounds or feels like. These similes use simple ideas from everyday life, like drums or animals, to show how thunder works. Whether it crashes loudly or rumbles far away, there’s a simile to match. Let’s explore some fun and clear ways to talk about thunder.
Similes for Thunder
1. As loud as a drum
Meaning: Very loud and strong
Samples: The thunder was as loud as a drum. / It echoed through the sky like a drumbeat.
To Put it Another Way: It made a big sound. / You could hear it from far away.
2. Like a giant stomping
Meaning: Heavy, powerful noise
Samples: The thunder roared like a giant stomping across the sky. / It shook the ground.
To Put it Another Way: It felt huge. / Like someone walking with heavy feet.
3. As sudden as a firecracker
Meaning: Quick and sharp
Samples: The thunder came as sudden as a firecracker. / It made me jump.
To Put it Another Way: It was loud and fast. / A surprise sound.
4. Like a lion roaring
Meaning: Deep and wild
Samples: The thunder sounded like a lion roaring from the clouds. / It growled across the sky.
To Put it Another Way: It was fierce. / Like an angry animal.
5. As deep as a bass drum
Meaning: Low, strong sound
Samples: The thunder was as deep as a bass drum. / You could feel it in your chest.
To Put it Another Way: Low and loud. / Very strong.
6. Like a train passing by
Meaning: Rumbles and rolls
Samples: The thunder rolled like a train passing by. / It went on and on.
To Put it Another Way: It didn’t stop quickly. / Sound kept going.
7. As booming as a cannon
Meaning: Explosive sound
Samples: The thunder boomed as loud as a cannon. / It sounded like a blast.
To Put it Another Way: Very strong. / Like something exploded.
8. Like a bowling ball hitting pins
Meaning: Sudden and loud crash
Samples: The thunder crashed like a bowling ball hitting pins. / It made everything shake.
To Put it Another Way: A crashing sound. / Sudden and noisy.
9. As loud as a crowd cheering
Meaning: Lots of sound at once
Samples: The thunder was as loud as a crowd cheering. / It filled the sky.
To Put it Another Way: Many sounds together. / Hard to ignore.
10. Like rocks falling from the sky
Meaning: Heavy crashing sound
Samples: The thunder was like rocks falling from the sky. / It sounded rough.
To Put it Another Way: It felt heavy. / Strong and sudden.
11. As loud as a jet engine
Meaning: Very powerful noise
Samples: The thunder roared as loud as a jet engine overhead. / It made my ears ring.
To Put it Another Way: It was super loud. / Like an airplane nearby.
12. Like a door slamming shut
Meaning: Quick and sharp sound
Samples: The thunder cracked like a door slamming shut. / It startled everyone.
To Put it Another Way: It was sudden. / Quick and loud.
13. As heavy as a waterfall
Meaning: Strong and steady sound
Samples: The thunder was as heavy as a waterfall pounding rocks. / It seemed nonstop.
To Put it Another Way: It poured through the sky. / Big and strong.
14. Like a marching band
Meaning: Rhythmic and loud
Samples: The thunder rolled like a marching band crossing a street. / It had a beat.
To Put it Another Way: Loud and moving. / Like drums and brass.
15. As sharp as a whip crack
Meaning: Very quick and loud
Samples: The thunder snapped as sharp as a whip crack. / It echoed fast.
To Put it Another Way: Sharp and loud. / Quick like lightning.
16. Like someone dropping a giant book
Meaning: Sudden and solid sound
Samples: The thunder was like someone dropping a giant book on the floor. / It thudded loudly.
To Put it Another Way: Hard and fast. / Like a big object falling.
17. As wild as a stampede
Meaning: Loud and chaotic
Samples: The thunder was as wild as a stampede of animals. / It filled the sky with noise.
To Put it Another Way: Chaotic. / Lots of sound together.
18. Like fireworks exploding
Meaning: Bursting sound
Samples: The thunder was like fireworks exploding over our heads. / It flashed and boomed.
To Put it Another Way: Bright and loud. / Shocking sound.
19. As scary as a monster’s roar
Meaning: Frightening sound
Samples: The thunder was as scary as a monster’s roar. / It made the trees shake.
To Put it Another Way: Very loud and scary. / Deep and wild.
20. Like the earth tearing
Meaning: Sounds like something breaking
Samples: The thunder cracked like the earth tearing in half. / It was deep and jagged.
To Put it Another Way: Harsh and strong. / Like a crack in stone.
21. As fierce as a storm
Meaning: Full of power
Samples: The thunder was as fierce as a storm at sea. / It roared across the sky.
To Put it Another Way: Big energy. / Strong and wild.
22. Like a bear growling
Meaning: Deep, rumbling sound
Samples: The thunder growled like a bear in a cave. / You could feel it.
To Put it Another Way: Rumbled low. / Wild and heavy.
23. As long as a train whistle
Meaning: Went on and on
Samples: The thunder rolled as long as a train whistle in the distance. / It didn’t stop fast.
To Put it Another Way: Long sound. / Echoed for a while.
24. Like someone dropping metal sheets
Meaning: Sharp and clanging
Samples: The thunder sounded like someone dropping metal sheets. / It rattled windows.
To Put it Another Way: Hard and ringing. / Lots of echo.
25. As close as a knock on the door
Meaning: Very near
Samples: The thunder felt as close as a knock on the door. / It was right above us.
To Put it Another Way: Seemed nearby. / Easy to feel.
26. Like a giant clapping
Meaning: Large, fast burst
Samples: The thunder clapped like a giant slapping the sky. / It shook the air.
To Put it Another Way: Quick and booming. / Big sound.
27. As rumbling as a truck on a bridge
Meaning: Long, shaking sound
Samples: The thunder rumbled as loudly as a truck on a metal bridge. / It vibrated the walls.
To Put it Another Way: Long rumble. / Felt heavy.
28. Like a rockslide
Meaning: Fast and crashing
Samples: The thunder crashed like a rockslide down a mountain. / Loud and dangerous.
To Put it Another Way: Like falling rocks. / Harsh noise.
29. As deep as a cave echo
Meaning: Echoing, low sound
Samples: The thunder was as deep as a cave echo. / It bounced off the clouds.
To Put it Another Way: Hollow and long. / Very low.
30. Like a giant tearing paper
Meaning: Sharp and ripping
Samples: The thunder tore across the sky like a giant ripping paper. / It was loud and rough.
To Put it Another Way: Quick rip sound. / Felt violent.
31. As noisy as a car crash
Meaning: Sudden and shocking
Samples: The thunder was as noisy as a car crash. / It came out of nowhere.
To Put it Another Way: Unexpected loudness. / Startling sound.
32. Like a dragon’s roar
Meaning: Strong, mythical sound
Samples: The thunder roared like a dragon in the sky. / Powerful and mighty.
To Put it Another Way: Magic and noise. / Big and wild.
33. As jarring as an alarm clock
Meaning: Disruptive and loud
Samples: The thunder was as jarring as an alarm clock at 5 a.m. / It woke me up.
To Put it Another Way: Sudden noise. / Hard to ignore.
34. Like pots crashing in the kitchen
Meaning: Clanging and chaotic
Samples: The thunder was like pots crashing in the kitchen. / Loud and messy.
To Put it Another Way: Lots of clatter. / Not smooth.
35. As loud as a stadium cheer
Meaning: Huge crowd-level noise
Samples: The thunder roared as loud as a stadium cheer after a win. / The sky seemed full.
To Put it Another Way: Excited noise. / Loud all around.
36. Like a tree falling in a forest
Meaning: Deep and strong impact
Samples: The thunder crashed like a tree falling in the forest. / Sharp and serious.
To Put it Another Way: Powerful sound. / Sudden and heavy.
37. As sudden as a balloon popping
Meaning: Surprising burst
Samples: The thunder cracked as sudden as a balloon popping. / We jumped in surprise.
To Put it Another Way: Sharp sound. / Startled us.
38. Like the ground shaking
Meaning: Very powerful
Samples: The thunder was like the ground shaking under our feet. / Everything trembled.
To Put it Another Way: Earth-shaking. / Intense.
39. As fast as a whip
Meaning: Quick and sharp
Samples: The thunder snapped as fast as a whip. / It was gone in a second.
To Put it Another Way: Fast and sharp. / Quick blast.
40. Like a thousand drums
Meaning: Big and full sound
Samples: The thunder sounded like a thousand drums in the clouds. / It filled the sky.
To Put it Another Way: Very loud. / Endless pounding.
41. As rumbling as a volcano
Meaning: Deep, shaking roar
Samples: The thunder was as rumbling as a volcano ready to erupt. / It came from deep within.
To Put it Another Way: Powerful noise. / From below.
42. Like a giant’s cough
Meaning: Sudden and forceful
Samples: The thunder sounded like a giant’s cough echoing through the air. / A big burst of sound.
To Put it Another Way: Quick and deep. / Surprising noise.
43. As fierce as a roaring waterfall
Meaning: Full of force
Samples: The thunder was as fierce as a roaring waterfall. / You could feel its strength.
To Put it Another Way: Loud and powerful. / Always flowing.
44. Like bowling balls tumbling down stairs
Meaning: Rolling, loud crash
Samples: The thunder rolled like bowling balls tumbling down stairs. / It clattered loudly.
To Put it Another Way: Heavy and uneven. / Many crashes.
45. As loud as a band concert
Meaning: Lots of sound at once
Samples: The thunder was as loud as a band concert in a small room. / No way to ignore it.
To Put it Another Way: Full of sound. / All together.
46. Like a stampede of horses
Meaning: Rapid, pounding sound
Samples: The thunder sounded like a stampede of horses running across the sky. / Loud and quick.
To Put it Another Way: Thundering feet. / Constant noise.
47. As quick as a blink
Meaning: Short and fast
Samples: The thunder cracked as quick as a blink. / It came and went.
To Put it Another Way: Over fast. / Gone quickly.
48. Like a bell tower ringing
Meaning: High and clear sound
Samples: The thunder rang like a bell tower echoing across town. / It was sharp and clear.
To Put it Another Way: Tall sound. / You could hear it echo.
49. As fierce as a crashing wave
Meaning: Strong and sudden
Samples: The thunder came as fierce as a crashing wave on rocks. / It slammed the air.
To Put it Another Way: Hit hard. / Like ocean waves.
50. Like a wild engine revving
Meaning: Roaring, wild sound
Samples: The thunder roared like a wild engine revving too hard. / It growled in the sky.
To Put it Another Way: Loud engine sound. / Full of power.
Find the Topics: Similes for Thunder
Reading Passage: “The Storm at Sleepover”
It was just after lights out at Mia’s sleepover when the thunder started. A loud crack shook the room like a door slamming shut. “Whoa,” said Jada, “that sounded like a bowling ball hitting pins.” Everyone sat up. The next roll of thunder came rumbling, like a train passing by the window.
The girls huddled in their blankets. “That one was as loud as a drum,” whispered Ava. Another boom echoed through the sky, sharp as a whip crack. “It’s like someone dropped a giant book upstairs,” said Mia, hugging her pillow.
Suddenly, a long growl came, like a lion roaring across the sky. The windows rattled. “That one was like rocks falling from the sky,” said Zoe. A flash lit up the room, followed by thunder that felt as close as a knock on the door.
“It’s like a marching band is on the roof,” said Jada, laughing. As the noise faded, the last rumble sounded as deep as a bass drum. Finally, one final crash like fireworks exploding shook the walls. The girls waited in silence, wide-eyed and alert.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 12 similes for thunder used in the story.
Answer Key
- Like a door slamming shut
- Like a bowling ball hitting pins
- Like a train passing by
- As loud as a drum
- As sharp as a whip crack
- Like someone dropped a giant book
- Like a lion roaring
- Like rocks falling from the sky
- As close as a knock on the door
- Like a marching band
- As deep as a bass drum
- Like fireworks exploding
Conclusion
Thunder can sound like many things: sharp, loud, deep, or crashing. Similes help us describe those sounds in ways that people can picture and feel. They turn noise into stories.
Using similes for thunder can make your writing stronger and clearer. Whether you’re telling a story or describing a storm, these comparisons bring the sound of thunder to life.
