storm

noun, often attributive

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\ ˈstȯrm

plural storms

Definition of storm

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a disturbance of the atmosphere marked by wind and usually by rain, snow, hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning

b : a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail

c(1) : wind having a speed of 64 to 72 miles (103 to 117 kilometers) per hour

(2) : whole gale — see Beaufort Scale Table

d : a serious disturbance of any element of nature

2 : a disturbed or agitated state storms of emotion : a sudden or violent commotion

3 : a heavy discharge of objects (such as missiles)

4 : a tumultuous outburst a storm of protests

5a : paroxysm sense 2

b : a sudden heavy influx or onset

c medicine : the sudden and often dangerous onset, increase, or worsening of the symptoms of a disease — see also cytokine storm

6 : a violent assault on a defended position

7 storms plural : storm window

by storm

: by or as if by employing a bold swift frontal movement especially with the intent of defeating or winning over quickly took the literary world by storm

up a storm

: in a remarkable or energetic fashion —used as an intensifierdancing up a storm

storm

verb

stormed; storming; storms

Definition of storm (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to blow with violence

b : to rain, hail, snow, or sleet vigorously

2 : to attack by storm stormed ashore at zero hour

3 : to be in or to exhibit a violent passion : rage storming at the unusual delay

4 : to rush about or move impetuously, violently, or angrily the mob stormed through the streets

transitive verb

: to attack, take, or win over by storm storm a fort

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about storm

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Choose the Right Synonym for storm

Verb

attack, assail, assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon. attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. plan to attack the town at dawn assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots. assailed the enemy with artillery fire assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught. ommandos assaulted the building from all sides bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells. bombarded the city nightly storm implies attempting to break into a defended position. preparing to storm the fortress

Examples of storm in a Sentence

Noun The sky got dark and it looked like a storm was coming. a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow Verb The mob stormed through the streets. She yelled at us and stormed off. He stormed out of the room. She stormed into the office.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Berry commended the entire organization for weathering the COVID-19 storm of the past three weeks, one in which more than a dozen players and half a dozen coaches missed a game or two because of the virus. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, "Browns GM Andrew Berry: ‘We wouldn’t be here’ without Baker Mayfield’s contributions; expects competitive game vs. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs," 15 Jan. 2021 The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to cover 70 of Minnesota's 87 counties with blizzard warnings, received an honorable mention. — Tim Harlow, Star Tribune, "Record November warmth was state's No. 1 weather event of 2020," 6 Jan. 2021 The lower the pressure, generally, the stronger the storm. — Author: Jason Samenow, Andrew Freedman, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Bomb cyclone’ builds in Aleutian Islands, becoming strongest storm on record to hit Alaska," 31 Dec. 2020 The storm, which was accompanied by lightning, thunder and hail, left as much as 12 inches of snow in high-elevation mountain areas and half an inch of rain in downtown L.A. before dawn Monday, the Los Angeles Times reports. — Winston Gieseke, USA TODAY, "In California: Stay-at-home order likely to be extended, and a powerful storm hits SoCal," 29 Dec. 2020 The storm, which began as bitter cold and snow in the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota early Wednesday, reached the East Coast Thursday night and early Friday. — Audrey Mcnamara, CBS News, "Christmas storm leaves thousands without power on East Coast," 25 Dec. 2020 The witty rapport, the romantic snow storm, and the heart to hearts are all set against the lovely Barrett Hall backdrop. — Sarah Adams, Town & Country, "Why We're Still Obsessing Over Love Story's Unforgettable Fashion 50 Years Later," 23 Dec. 2020 The storm, dubbed Winter Storm Gail, coated the regions with snow and set records in some parts of the country. — Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, "Spirit jet slides off taxiway in Baltimore after landing in slick conditions," 17 Dec. 2020 With the worst of a storm of misinformation—and disinformation—about the 2020 US presidential election behind us, both Facebook and Twitter are relaxing some emergency measures put in place to limit its spread. — Jim Salter, Ars Technica, "Twitter repeals retweet roadblocks, Facebook follows suit," 17 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Their audaciousness is rooted in white privilege and the freedom to reframe the truth as a lie, to steal and storm and kill and call it patriotism, to say a prayer of unity while pushing oppression. — Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, "The safety of privilege," 16 Jan. 2021 Investigators are combing through a mountain of online posts, street surveillance and other intelligence, including information that suggests mobs could try to storm the Capitol again and threats to kill some members of Congress. — Stefanie Dazio And Michael Balsamo, Star Tribune, "Capitol investigators try to sort real tips from noise," 13 Jan. 2021 Three other people died in what authorities said were medical emergencies during a violent riot that saw Trump-supporting protesters storm the Capitol and cause Congress to evacuate. — Tim Darnell, ajc, "Now what happens to Donald Trump?," 13 Jan. 2021 The rioters present had talked extensively on publicly accessible social media about their plans to storm the Capitol and commit violence, and private citizens and law enforcement agencies had raised concerns with Capitol and DC police. — Jen Golbeck, Wired, "There’s No Excuse to Ignore Warnings of Domestic Terrorism," 12 Jan. 2021 The push against Parler comes in the aftermath of President Trump's encouragement of his supporters to storm the Capitol and demand Congress not certify President-elect Joe Biden's electoral victory. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Parler CEO: Platform could be 'down longer than expected'," 11 Jan. 2021 Whether or not the House pursues impeachment charges against Mr. Trump for his role in inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol on Wednesday, many Democrats say that impeachment is not enough. — New York Times, "Democrats Are Determined to Pressure Biden to Investigate Trump," 9 Jan. 2021 The president has been accused of inciting his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday after repeatedly and falsely telling them that Democrats had stolen the election from him. — Chron, "Education head Betsy DeVos quits, cites Trump rhetoric," 7 Jan. 2021 The military used tear gas to disperse peaceful BLM protesters, yet when a mob of white supremacists storm the Capital, they are merely escorted away. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "‘What’s happening is White Privilege’: Kid glove treatment of pro-Trump mob stirs anger," 7 Jan. 2021

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