perfect storm

noun

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of perfect storm

: a critical or disastrous situation created by a powerful concurrence of factors

Recent Examples of perfect storm from the Web

Just the perfect storm of them coming in, having a great team, a great front office, and an ownership that really embraced the city of Vegas.

— bob nightengale, USA TODAY, "Bryce Harper's love affair with his Vegas Golden Knights - and hockey - goes into overtime," 15 May 2018
What’s fairly clear is that Monday night was the result of a perfect storm.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Orioles' record low in attendance Monday the result of a perfect storm," 10 Apr. 2018
This elimination was the culmination of kinda of a perfect storm of bad timing and bad events.

— ale russian, PEOPLE.com, "The Challenge: Vendettas' Johnny Bananas Says Tony Raines Will Pay For His Decision," 7 Mar. 2018
Kansas coach Bill Self says his team never quite recovered after Villanova came out with 'perfect storm' in Final Four game on March 31, 2018.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "Dad of Dedric and K.J. Lawson discusses possibility of duo's return to Memphis | The Kansas City Star," 16 Apr. 2018
The Ordinary skyrocketed to viral beauty status thanks to its perfect storm of effective products and irresistibly low prices; if lightning strikes twice with Deciem, then Avestan could be well poised to enjoy a similar level of success.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Deciem Is Launching a New Fragrance Brand Called Avestan," 12 Apr. 2018
In typical form, White arranged a perfect storm of challenges to confront at Thursday’s Little Caesars Arena gig: The opening night of a tour.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Jack White gets loose, goes big, in Little Caesars Arena homecoming show," 20 Apr. 2018
In typical form, White arranged a perfect storm of challenges to confront at Thursday’s Little Caesars Arena gig: the opening night of a tour.

— brian mccollum, USA TODAY, "Jack White brings out his mom, sings Beyoncé at Detroit homecoming show," 20 Apr. 2018
Bad draft picks, bad trades and bad luck has created a perfect storm of ineptitude.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Frank Vogel doesn't deserve to be fired by the Orlando Magic," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perfect storm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.