Synonyms of tempest

tempest

noun

ˈtem-pəst 

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

• storm
• squall
• blizzard
• thunderstorm
• hurricane
• cyclone
• weather
• snowstorm
• windstorm
• rainstorm
• typhoon
• hailstorm
• cloudburst
• ice storm
• northeaster
• thundershower
• norther
• sandstorm
• southeaster
• rainsquall
• southwester

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

• upheaval
• unrest
• storm
• revolution
• earthquake
• insurrection
• tumult
• revolt
• turmoil
• convulsion
• uprising
• uproar
• paroxysm
• rebellion
• cataclysm
• mutiny
• stir
• eruption
• insurgency
• commotion
• outburst
• upset
• overthrow
• subversion
• outbreak
• bouleversement
• squall
• spasm
• seizure
• to-do
• trembling
• coil
• furor
• fit
• hubbub
• ruckus
• pandemonium
• row
• bustle
• overturn
• bluster
• rout
• rocking
• welter
• furore
• quaking
• stew
• shaking
• rumpus
• hullabaloo
• shindy
• fuss
• hurly-burly
• ruction
• flare-up
• bobbery
• williwaw

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tempest

For now, Buttigieg has chosen to wait out the tempests in Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten, a former schoolteacher. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

What started as a joyous snowball fight Monday in New York City morphed into a political tempest after residents began pelting police officers with snow and ice. — Tim Craig, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2026

The catalyst of the looming tempest is the Morton Amphitheater, which will open this summer in Riverside with 30 or more concerts already on the schedule. — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026

While the idea of a one-time tax on more than 200 people has a long way to go before getting onto the ballot and would need to be passed by voters in November, the tempest around it captures the zeitgeist of angst and anger at the core of California. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026