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

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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

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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
Remember: storms don’t last forever, but the impact of your leadership will. —Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 Nan-young goes all the way to Mars to uncover the mystery of her mother’s disappearance, braving storms and mortal danger. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Verb
Lando Norris stormed to his second win of the season, while Oscar Piastri clinched third place, enough to keep him at the top of the drivers’ standings. —Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 One day after the Knicks stormed back from a 20-point hole — again — to win Game 3 over the Pacers, the head coach remained cool, calm and collected about his team’s success. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 May 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
  • Severe thunderstorm warnings and flash flood advisories were active across much of southern Texas on Wednesday, including the cities of San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • There is a chance for late afternoon showers and thunderstorms, the weather service said.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • In September 1967, his unit was in the Con Thien area when they were bombarded by heavy enemy artillery and a rocket barrage.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • That barrage prompted further salvos that led to the downing of Indian fighter jets (according to Pakistani and international media) and Pakistani jets (according to Indian media).
    — AQIL SHAH, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
Definition of barrage
Noun
  • Beyond the playoffs, NBA Draft, and flurry of early-summer free agency moves, the large majority of the NBA calendar plays out on regional sports networks.
    — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Posey sent a message, and that message was received. Led by Johnson, Ramos and plenty of others, the Giants responded to this morning’s flurry of roster moves by erasing a five-run deficit against the San Diego Padres to beat their divisional rival, 6-5.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • After 'tremendous commotion,' Cassie screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Some of the most compelling testimony has come from former Combs former personal assistant, George Kaplan.
    — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • Video footage from that day shows commotion and ICE agents entangled with members of Congress and their staff.
    — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 13 May 2025
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Temperatures hover in the high 80s to low 90s, with rain chances at 60% across the entire region.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
  • Amid a chilly rain at Muirfield Village on Friday, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler began his round with a solid birdie look from 23 feet away on the par-4 1st.
    — Jack Milko, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Definition of rain
Noun
  • So these quests march on even as the crack of explosions grows louder.
    — Carole V. Bell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Since March, the southeast crater showed signs of activity with smaller explosions and moderate lava flows.
    — David Bressan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Anti-immigration politics threw the Dutch and German governments into upheaval amid growing nationalist sentiment in Europe.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 June 2025
  • His resignation, fueled by discontent over his family’s apparent lavish spending and luxurious lifestyle, marks the latest political upheaval in the Asian nation’s longstanding fight against corruption.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 3 June 2025
Definition of upheaval
Verb
  • Keeping the party raging will require some salesmanship.
    — Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Fraser delivers a brimstone sermon worthy of a Baptist preacher at a tent revival, raging at plutocrats who ravage those with less (or nothing at all).
    — Hamilton Cain, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 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 11 Jun. 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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