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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
The storms could bring pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025 There are chances for periodic showers and storms, which may mitigate the heat, especially across northern Missouri, the weather service said. —Kansas City Star, 21 July 2025
Verb
Democrats stormed out of a Senate committee meeting as Republicans voted to advance controversial Trump judicial pick Emil Bove for a lifetime federal appeals court seat. —Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 18 July 2025 Angry Democrats stormed out of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday as Republicans bulldozed ahead with the controversial nomination of Emil Bove to a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 July 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
  • What To Know The NHC said on Monday a low-pressure system positioned off the northern Florida Atlantic coast was generating disorganized showers and thunderstorms over parts of Florida, the northwestern Bahamas, and nearby Atlantic waters.
    — Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • Ionescu’s barrage continued, however, with a 25-foot trey after Kennedy Burke’s block on Satou Sabally.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
  • So far, Powell is resisting cutting rates, hence the barrage of insults and threat of firing.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 24 July 2025
Definition of barrage
Noun
  • This move could be the first of a flurry after Arizona was swept by Houston earlier this week.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 July 2025
  • That area has seen a flurry of property sales since Mayor Joe Hogsett announced his intentions to build a professional league stadium at what is now the downtown Indianapolis heliport, but some of the Simon property purchases predate the mayor's public announcement.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 25 July 2025
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The bus driver heard the commotion, pulled over and told everyone to get off.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • Despite the commotion and all the onlookers, Monica does not recall anyone else trying to break up the altercation.
    — Colson Thayer, People.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • The city set a new daily record after 2.64 inches of rain fell in Central Park on Monday, according to The New York Times.
    — Abigail Adams, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • The city experienced over two inches of rain last night — its second-wettest single hour in recorded history.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2025
Definition of rain
Noun
  • The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has identified the three deputies killed in Friday’s training facility explosion at an East Los Angeles County training site.
    — Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • The road closures and evacuation orders around the Esparto fireworks explosion site were lifted on Friday, allowing a closer look at the site where seven people were killed in the July 1 blast.
    — Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Given the massive upheaval in Bieber’s life and business affairs, a brand new team around him, and his longest-ever wait in between records, industry insiders watched closely last week, wondering how Bieber would fare in the most-consequential era of his career to date.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
  • The Dignity Act comes in the wake of that upheaval.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Definition of upheaval
Verb
  • Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.
    — Andrew Ford, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • The best analogue for this moment may be Trump’s online raging after the January 6, 2021, insurrection.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

storing
storm
storm cellar
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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on storm

Nglish: Translation of storm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about storm

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