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Thunder vs Roar - What's the difference?

thunder | roar | Related terms |

In figuratively terms the difference between thunder and roar

is that thunder is the spotlight while roar is to proceed vigorously.

In intransitive terms the difference between thunder and roar

is that thunder is to talk with a loud, threatening voice while roar is to make a loud, deep cry, especially from pain, anger, or other strong emotion.

In transitive terms the difference between thunder and roar

is that thunder is to say (something) with a loud, threatening voice while roar is to cry aloud; to proclaim loudly.

As nouns the difference between thunder and roar

is that thunder is the sound caused by the discharge of atmospheric electrical charge while roar is a long, loud, deep shout made with the mouth wide open.

As verbs the difference between thunder and roar

is that thunder is to produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; often used impersonally while roar is to make a loud, deep cry, especially from pain, anger, or other strong emotion.

thunder

English

Noun

(wikipedia thunder)
  • The sound caused by the discharge of atmospheric electrical charge.
  • Thunder ''is preceded by lightning.
  • A sound resembling thunder; especially, one produced by a jet airplane in flight.
  • A deep, rumbling noise.
  • Off in the distance, he heard the thunder of hoofbeats, signalling a stampede.
  • An alarming or startling threat or denunciation.
  • * Prescott
  • The thunders of the Vatican could no longer strike into the heart of princes.
  • (obsolete) The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The revenging gods / 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend.
  • (figuratively) The spotlight.
  • Usage notes

    * roll, clap, peal are some of the words used to count thunder.

    Derived terms

    * thunder and lightning * thunderation * thunderbird * thunderbolt * thunderboomer * thunderbox * thunderclap * thundercloud * thunderhead * thunderous * thundersquall * thunderstorm * thunder thighs

    See also

    * lightning

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; often used impersonally.
  • (label) To make a noise like thunder.
  • (label) To talk with a loud, threatening voice.
  • (label) To say (something) with a loud, threatening voice.
  • To produce something with incredible power
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=January 19 , author=Jonathan Stevenson , title=Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Just as it appeared Arsenal had taken the sting out of the tie, Johnson produced a moment of outrageous quality, thundering a bullet of a left foot shot out of the blue and into the top left-hand corner of Wojciech Szczesny's net with the Pole grasping at thin air.}}

    Derived terms

    * thunderer

    roar

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a loud, deep cry, especially from pain, anger, or other strong emotion.
  • * Dryden
  • Sole on the barren sands, the suffering chief / Roared out for anguish, and indulged his grief.
  • To laugh in a particularly loud manner.
  • The audience roared at his jokes.
  • Of animals (especially the lion), to make a loud deep noise.
  • * Spenser
  • Roaring bulls he would him make to tame.
  • Generally, of inanimate objects etc., to make a loud resounding noise.
  • * Milton
  • The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar .
  • * Gray
  • How oft I crossed where carts and coaches roar .
  • (figuratively) To proceed vigorously.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=January 25, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
  • , title= Blackpool 2-3 Man Utd , passage=United's attempt to extend their unbeaten league sequence to 23 games this season looked to be in shreds as the Seasiders - managed by Ian Holloway - roared into a fully deserved two-goal lead at the interval. }}
  • To cry aloud; to proclaim loudly.
  • * Ford
  • This last action will roar thy infamy.
  • * , chapter=7
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=I made a speaking trumpet of my hands and commenced to whoop “Ahoy!” and “Hello!” at the top of my lungs. […] The Colonel woke up, and, after asking what in brimstone was the matter, opened his mouth and roared “Hi!” and “Hello!” like the bull of Bashan.}}
  • To be boisterous; to be disorderly.
  • * Bishop Burnet
  • It was a mad, roaring time, full of extravagance.
  • To make a loud noise in breathing, as horses do when they have a certain disease.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A long, loud, deep shout made with the mouth wide open.
  • The cry of the lion.
  • * 1900 , , (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)
  • The Winkies were not a brave people, but they had to do as they were told. So they marched away until they came near to Dorothy. Then the Lion gave a great roar and sprang towards them, and the poor Winkies were so frightened that they ran back as fast as they could.
  • The deep cry of the bull.
  • A loud resounding noise.
  • the roar of a motorbike
  • * 1944, , Brave Men , University of Nebraska Press (2001), page 107:
  • "Those lovely valleys and mountains were filled throughout the day and night with the roar of heavy shooting."
  • A show of strength or character.