storm 1 of 2

noun

ˈstȯrm How to pronounce storm (audio)
Definition of stormnext
1
as in thunderstorm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in barrage
a heavy fall of objects police had to endure a storm of rocks and bricks hurled by the rioters

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in flurry
a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once the army's spokesperson faced a storm of questions from reporters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity a few minutes of calm before the storm, when the store would open its doors on the busiest day of the year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the storm caused major damage to our barn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a storm of indignation and demands for his resignation arose when the mayor's dishonesty was exposed

Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) civil wars and other storms of unrest swept through the African continent

Synonyms & Similar Words

storm

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rage
to express one's anger usually violently the chef spent the morning storming at his staff about the ruined sauces

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rain
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it storms so frequently up in the mountains that the peaks are rarely visible from the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against the pirates stormed the ship, easily taking the whole crew as their prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger by the time we arrived, our hostess was storming because dinner was ruined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb storm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail, assault, attack, and bombard. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

When might assail be a better fit than storm?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Where would assault be a reasonable alternative to storm?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would attack be a good substitute for storm?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can bombard be used instead of storm?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of storm
Noun
Severe storms are capable of scrambling radio and GPS communications. —Adithi Ramakrishnan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025 The storm system is the latest in a string of damaging weather this week that began Wednesday and will continue into Sunday. —Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
The younger Betts, a first-team AP All-American and Naismith/WBCA Defensive Player of the Year, stormed the Big Dance, averaging 23 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks through four NCAA tourney appearances. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025 Permitting legislation died in the final hours of the last session amid disagreements over environmental review changes, with then-EPW Chair Tom Carper storming out of a late-stage meeting. —Daniel Moore, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
  1. thunderstorm
  2. barrage
  3. flurry
  4. commotion
  5. rain
  6. explosion
  7. upheaval
  8. rage
Noun
  • How to act during strong winds Take shelter: Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know Though widespread severe thunderstorms are not forecast for Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that isolated thunderstorms may still form across the northern and central Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley and eastern Florida.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • Prior to release, a leaker hacked into the systems of the developers at Naughty Dog and spoiled major plot points from the story months in advance, which fueled a barrage of toxic responses, including death threats, against the creators.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Houthis have continued to launch more than a dozen ballistic missiles at Israel, and barrages of drones and missiles at US navy ships.
    — Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of barrage
Noun
  • Grapevine has a flurry of talent including junior catcher Gianni Corral, an uncommitted recruit who was previously committed to Texas A&M. Outfielder Zachary Goldstein, also a junior, is a scrappy speedster with a knack for getting on base.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
  • All in all, that was a good response by the Razorbacks to the Aggies' early flurry of runs.
    — Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The reveal of the dire wolves and accompanying news on red wolf advances lead to plenty of commotion and news coverage.
    — Mike Snider, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the backdrop, a commotion of voices from distraught aid workers and soldiers shouting commands in Hebrew can be heard.
    — Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • There is a slight chance of rain — 15-20% — as the isolated showers move through the region.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The storms were fueled by a stationary atmospheric river last week that spawned dozens of tornadoes and overwhelmed communities with up to 16 inches of rain in four days – a 100-to-1,000-year rainfall event, meteorologists said.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rain
Noun
  • From Ediacaran Precursors To The Cambrian Explosion The discovery and classification of Dickinsonia have had profound implications for our understanding of the Cambrian explosion.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Christmas now begins the day after Halloween (poor Thanksgiving), and the commencement of pastels, bunnies, and Easter eggs seemed to arrive, if not in tandem, then shortly after the explosion of Valentine’s treats hit store shelves.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • She's recently had to cope with a considerable amount of upheaval due to the work being done on the property.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Pinpointing the traits that boost survivorship during more stable periods and times of planetary upheaval might help scientists and conservationists protect today’s most vulnerable species.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of upheaval
Verb
  • Similar conversations have raged around the country for years, particularly over whether Confederate monuments should be removed from public spaces.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, a subset of online losers have raged about Doctor Who’s inclusivity.
    — Abby Monteil, Them., 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

storing
storm
storm cellar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on storm

Nglish: Translation of storm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about storm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All