1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the surprise verdict of the jury created a wild williwaw as reporters rushed to file their stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gust
a sudden brief rush of wind
a williwaw rose up seemingly out of nowhere and wreaked havoc with our campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of williwaw
The williwaw, a gale-force wind that came rolling down the mountain gathering speed, was depicted as a whorled cloud.
—
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The dominant use of williwaw throughout the 19th century was in relation to storms around Cape Horn, including the Straits of Magellan.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The dominant use of williwaw throughout the 19th century was in relation to storms around Cape Horn, including the Straits of Magellan.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for williwaw
Noun
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The man identified by authorities as Mutu is seen grabbing the girl’s arms and forcing them to her sides as neighbors responded to the commotion and confronted him.—
Diego Mendoza and Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2025
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The actress explains that after all that commotion, her son refused to walk home with shoes on.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The storms are foreseen to bring wind gusts of up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail (0.5 inches).—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Police responded to the report of a disturbance on Tuesday at 2:07 p.m. at Kennedy High School where officers and staff worked to separate those who were involved, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2025
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Use medications that can help with nausea, headaches, or sleep disturbances, such as pain relievers, antinausea drugs, and sleeping aids.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What’s 42 to 43? Into a black place of great blows from the little mountains from the sea came.—
John Berryman,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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With a blow of his whistle, all sorts of words applied: pandemonium, euphoria, mania.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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No playoff rotational decision caused a stir quite like Redick’s bold Game 4 move.—
Jovan Buha,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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The company, which started in 2015 and sells itself as a meal kit service, is actually closer to an online grocery store than a place that’s going to send you half an onion wrapped in plastic and a tiny baggy of cumin to make some so-so black bean tacos or a random stir fry.—
Carina Finn,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And with Alexa voice control and Google TV, navigating your favorite shows is a breeze.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2025
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The single temperature knob and reliable igniter are easy to use, and cleanup is a breeze with pre-oiled grates.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And given how hitters react to seeing meatballs, those extra ones add up in a hurry.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Andor finds his body, but the three of them have to leave in a hurry.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Winners that scud through the court from all directions.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Their optimism regarding the possible Iranian retaliation would be based on the history of Israeli resilience in the face of Iraq's scud attacks in 1991, and Hamas' and Hezbollah's rocket strikes.—
Dmitry Adamsky,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Feb. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Williwaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/williwaw. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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