thunderstroke

The world seems to be on tiptoe, listening for a thunderstroke of Fate.

Be that as it may, hearing of her marriage, several years afterward, was as a thunderstroke.

As for doctrine, Arminianism and Vorstianism were to be blasted with one thunderstroke from the British throne.

This fell on the province with the power and rapidity of a thunderstroke; it made no cry, no movement; Bretagne expired.

These words fell upon Charlotte like a thunderstroke: she rose from her seat half-fainting, and unconscious of what she did.

Only when every evasion has been exhausted comes the thunderstroke which reverses the whole situation.

It may be imagined that this was a thunderstroke to Madame: it nearly killed her.