1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow)
the sudden summertime tempest drove us off the golf course and into the clubhouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the town council handled the tempest over cuts to the school budget as well as could be expected
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempest
Into this local tempest rode Richard Spencer on his own high white horse.
—
Deborah Baker
june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
Again, not for the first time in this matter, a tempest or a tea cup that is clear as mud.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 June 2025
Out of the midst of this thunder and turmoil and tempest rose Dr. Otto Lecher, serene and collected.
—Don Delillo, Harpers Magazine, 5 May 2025
Plagued by the tempests of drugs, murder, corruption and other vices of biblical proportion for much of the past five decades, residents in this tiny burg just south of Chicago are seeing a ray of divine hope in their most famous native son, Pope Leo XIV.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Deborah Baker
june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
Again, not for the first time in this matter, a tempest or a tea cup that is clear as mud.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 June 2025
Out of the midst of this thunder and turmoil and tempest rose Dr. Otto Lecher, serene and collected.
—Don Delillo, Harpers Magazine, 5 May 2025
Plagued by the tempests of drugs, murder, corruption and other vices of biblical proportion for much of the past five decades, residents in this tiny burg just south of Chicago are seeing a ray of divine hope in their most famous native son, Pope Leo XIV.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempest
Noun
-
But can the practice of cloud seeding cause torrential storms like this?—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
-
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Concerns among Democrats may have been expected in California, given the state’s liberal tilt and the widespread and relentless government upheaval since President Trump took office in January.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
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And yet, despite seismic shifts in just about everything—three distinct processor instruction sets, two CEOs, innumerable design changes, and global trade upheaval—Apple's cheapest modern laptops have started around $1,000 for more than two decades.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 July 2025
Noun
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But the squall on the water was separate, less substantial in terms of both space and duration — and trickier to foresee, according to Colin McKellar, a meteorologist who was on duty Saturday in Reno.—
Ethan Wolin,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2025
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The larger concern, once again, were the trees alongside the trail whose roots had largely been ripped from earth and now pointed down the mountain, ready to slide given the right squall.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Outside Online,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Park’s father was among those armed shopkeepers during the unrest.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
-
Gunn acknowledged that the movie’s themes may be interpreted differently across political groups, especially considering the current nationwide unrest around immigration.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
6 July 2025
Noun
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But a December revolution ended the Assad family’s rule, and the former Islamist militant who leads the new government has sought new investment and trade links, which Gulf states in particular have been quick to offer.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
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On July 7th, Uranus, the planet of disruption, awakening, and revolution, enters Gemini for the first time since 1942.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 June 2025
Noun
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There are areas of Haiti that are that still have not recovered from the earthquake.—
Billal Rahman
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Earth processes – such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – also trigger cascading hazards, often with long-lasting effects.—
Brian J. Yanites,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempest. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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