1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the surprise verdict of the jury created a wild williwaw as reporters rushed to file their stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gust
a sudden brief rush of wind
a williwaw rose up seemingly out of nowhere and wreaked havoc with our campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of williwaw
The williwaw, a gale-force wind that came rolling down the mountain gathering speed, was depicted as a whorled cloud.
—
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The dominant use of williwaw throughout the 19th century was in relation to storms around Cape Horn, including the Straits of Magellan.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The dominant use of williwaw throughout the 19th century was in relation to storms around Cape Horn, including the Straits of Magellan.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for williwaw
Noun
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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
-
The bus driver heard the commotion, pulled over and told everyone to get off.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 mph.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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The fire grew quickly overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, expanding to burn over 500 acres in the park as wind gusts reached up to 40 miles per hour.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Police standoff after murders Lenexa police responded around 8:30 p.m. to the Donovan family home in the 7900 block of Hallet Street for a reported armed disturbance.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
23 July 2025
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On July 10, the Los Angeles Police Department received two separate 911 calls reporting a disturbance at the residence of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Thomas Deluca.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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The title bout bore out as a chess match, as the ISL school traded blows with one of the top MIAA teams from the South Shore.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
19 July 2025
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Smith shoved the gun in the guy’s gut, took the blow, then left.—
John J. Lennon,
Rolling Stone,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Among the topics discussed: Nikola Jokic caused a stir in NBA circles by … doing nothing?!—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
16 July 2025
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The allegations created quite a stir—and resulted in litigation.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Hess and Rhoads say the transition from talking about beer to running a brewery has been a breeze.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
25 July 2025
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Wake up to river views and salty breezes at the Yorktown Beach Hotel.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Getting pulled over and receiving a ticket can put a damper on a road trip in a hurry.—
Will McGough,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
The first New Jersey State Constitution, like many others written during the early months of the Revolutionary War, was drafted in a hurry.—
Peter Zablocki,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Winners that scud through the court from all directions.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Their optimism regarding the possible Iranian retaliation would be based on the history of Israeli resilience in the face of Iraq's scud attacks in 1991, and Hamas' and Hezbollah's rocket strikes.—
Dmitry Adamsky,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Feb. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Williwaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/williwaw. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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