storm 1 of 2

Definition of stormnext
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

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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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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
Hail typically accounts for up to 80% of claims annually from severe storms, the group said. Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026 The iron frame is rust-resistant, while the performance fabric is designed to withstand the unpredictable summer storms. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Video shows the military storming into the village and furious mourners throwing stones at the vehicles. Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026 Police stormed the gallery and seized two canvases—The Naked Man, depicting a nude youth gripping a monstrous phallus, and The Big Night Down the Drain, showing a Hitler-like figure masturbating. News Desk, Artforum, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
Noun
  • The metro area and areas north of that line may only see general thunderstorm activity, the weather service said.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Of course, Edgecombe, who’d held Brunson to less than 42% shooting from the field during individual regular-season matchups, led the defensive charge in a 27-point barrage from the Knicks’ captain through the opening two quarters alone.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
  • The White House's aggressive policy moves have prompted a barrage of lawsuits — more than 700 and counting.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • As tensions escalate there's been a flurry of diplomacy across the globe.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
  • That kicked off a flurry of activity — starting with those who questioned why this was the first warrant for Duckett after more than three decades on death row.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • In his opening arguments, Haytham Faraj, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said Valentina and her mother had hidden in a changing room on the second floor amid the commotion of the police response.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • In the commotion, Tepikian said another car hit her SUV at the intersection of West Pennway, West 21st and Summit streets.
    Eleanor Nash Updated May 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • As plants use rainwater to grow, their leaves pick up the rain’s characteristic ratio of hydrogen isotopes—atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons.
    Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
  • While the immediate flood threat has diminished, rain is expected to persist along the Mid-Atlantic coast.
    Francie Ebert, NBC news, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • In 1985, an explosion in the basement of a Ross department store—caused by an unventilated buildup of methane gas underneath the store—razed several city blocks and injured twenty-three people.
    Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • In 1992, a buildup of methane gas and coal dust triggered a massive explosion in the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia, Canada, killing 26 coal miners.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The trio of titles making the rounds at Cannes are exemplars of the type of material Anonymous Content intends to pursue that this moment of great upheaval across film and TV.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • The road to Little Simz’s last full-length album, 2025’s Lotus, was fraught with legal woes and interpersonal upheaval.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Homicides increased in 2019 and again in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic raged and cities across the country saw similar spikes, but declined each of the next four years, the data show.
    Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
  • With one of the nation’s lowest population densities — and most residents living in cities — Idaho boasts plenty of wide-open spaces, an amazing array of geography from huge lakes and raging rivers to snowy peaks and bone-dry deserts.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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