storm 1 of 2

1
as in thunderstorm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow

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2
as in barrage
a heavy fall of objects police had to endure a storm of rocks and bricks hurled by the rioters

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3
4
5
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the storm caused major damage to our barn

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6
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a storm of indignation and demands for his resignation arose when the mayor's dishonesty was exposed

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7

storm

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to rain
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it storms so frequently up in the mountains that the peaks are rarely visible from the valley below

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger by the time we arrived, our hostess was storming because dinner was ruined

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb storm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail, assault, attack, and bombard. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

When might assail be a better fit than storm?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Where would assault be a reasonable alternative to storm?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would attack be a good substitute for storm?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can bombard be used instead of storm?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of storm
Noun
The Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned that coastal areas from Hue to Dak Lak may be hit by waves of up to 26 feet and a storm surge of up to 2 feet in addition to high winds, possibly exceeding 84 miles per hour. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 But cancellation patterns may be different than during storms. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Barricades were toppled over, beers were shotgunned, and some people even stormed the gates into the ballpark after a handful of fans left before the series was decided. Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025 That prompted Jericho to storm off backstage, get into a car, and drive away. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
Noun
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • With summer kicking off, the occasional thunderstorm to start the day is inevitable this time of year in Florida.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On Tuesday, the couple closed their store for a week, fearing for the safety of their employees after a barrage of complaints.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
  • In the third quarter, Seguin scored twice to extend the scoring barrage to 23-0.
    Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The 50-year mortgage proposal came amid a flurry of posts from Pulte, a member of one of America’s most prominent homebuilding families, who was fresh off a Friday appearance at ResiDay, a residential real estate conference hosted by ResiClub.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Prospect Avenue was renamed Hollywood Boulevard, and a flurry of tony hotels, palatial theaters and glitzy boutiques opened along the stretch between Vine Street and Highland Avenue.
    Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But these aren’t the only cups causing a commotion.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Actual Vancouverites barely stood by to watch the commotion.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
  • For one night, under cold rain and flickering red lights, the noise faded.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Local media also reported that several explosions were heard before the fire began.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Jonathan Taylor’s offensive explosion helped push the Indianapolis Colts past the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in the first NFL regular-season game in Berlin, 31-25, in overtime.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • After three years of upheaval — capped by last year’s unpopular relocation to Las Vegas — the 2025 AFM marks the event’s return to Los Angeles, with a new (and hopefully permanent) home at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City.
    Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
  • These upheavals have always caused tensions, and those tensions have shaped the American social order in many ways.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Some of those territories were invaded with the tacit support of Western allies keen to prop up an anti-communist leader, at a time when proxy conflicts backed by the US and the Soviet Union raged across the Global South.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • When January 2025’s Eaton fire raged through Altadena, just outside of LA, Good Neighbor bar had only been open for less than two months.
    Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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