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

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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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
More than 4,500 ComEd workers, contractors and mutual assistance crews were deployed in response to the storms. Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Some thunderstorms could produce locally heavy downpours, with rainfall totals generally between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible in storms. The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
To make matters worse, ten days later, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille. Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Residents of a Newark, New Jersey, apartment complex got a startling wakeup call Sunday morning when police in tactical gear, responding to reports of multiple people shot, stormed their building. Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
Noun
  • Tornadoes happen when warm, moist air meets cooler, dryer air and forms a strong thunderstorm.
    Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But no reasonable parent mistakes that for true readiness to handle rush-hour traffic in a thunderstorm.
    David Etue, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Earlier this month, the air force stopped publishing the number of ballistic missiles fired or intercepted in Russia's nightly barrages.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Nolan’s father, Elmore Wonsley said his grieving family has also received online attacks — including a sudden barrage of negative reviews against his wife, a nurse practitioner, and vitriol from strangers.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But Sorsby soon was ruled ineligible for gambling on college sports, setting off a flurry of court activity.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Every February, a flurry of posts about racial justice, perfectly timed to Black History Month.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Hearing the commotion, John calls for Gates only for the assailant to kick through the door.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Sleep was beginning to finally visit the insomniacs and drunkards of T—in central Manila when a commotion louder than the usual domestic squabbles erupted from the room above Mang Calixto’s bakery.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, the rain dissipated around noon, the temperature dropped, and a slight breeze provided a slight reprieve to the corn-sweat humidity that engulfs this region every August.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That is important, as the show includes simulated rain showers with real water pouring down on the stage from above.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Deadly fires, often linked to electrical faults or gas cylinder explosions, are common in India where investigators have frequently pointed to safety lapses and inadequate enforcement of fire regulations as contributing to recurring loss of life.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Hugo Weaving’s Frank Harkness, the nefarious birth father of agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowdon), also makes an appearance, and the trailer previews plenty of explosions, shootouts and even hand-to-hand combat.
    Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Guardiola is gone, star midfielder Rodri has departed, and there is ongoing upheaval across several positions as new boss Enzo Maresca reshapes the squad.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • So the city’s annual meeting with the investment community came at an inconvenient time given the personnel upheaval on the fifth floor.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In Croatia, 14 people were hospitalized, of whom seven remained in life-threatening condition early Friday from a fire that raged overnight by the coastal town of Omis and forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The director recalls being selected for the first edition of the event in 1995, when the Bosnian War was still raging, and Sarajevo remained under siege.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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