storm 1 of 2

noun

ˈstȯrm How to pronounce storm (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in flurry
a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once the army's spokesperson faced a storm of questions from reporters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity a few minutes of calm before the storm, when the store would open its doors on the busiest day of the year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) civil wars and other storms of unrest swept through the African continent

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storm

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rage
to express one's anger usually violently the chef spent the morning storming at his staff about the ruined sauces

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against the pirates stormed the ship, easily taking the whole crew as their prisoners

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 storm continues to bring heavy rain and strong winds across the Southern Appalachians and Southeast today. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Rows of officials sat behind computer screens while giant displays tracked the storm and the state’s response. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
They were moved to various locations as rioters stormed the Capitol, and ended up barricading themselves in the Rayburn House Office Building until order was restored and Krishnamoorthi could vote. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 There’s not a single version that doesn’t end with Tommy storming out of the room. — Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
  1. thunderstorm
  2. barrage
  3. flurry
  4. commotion
  5. rain
  6. explosion
  7. upheaval
  8. rage
Noun
  • The National Weather Service in Flagstaff didn’t issue a tornado warning before impact, but issued a severe thunderstorm warning after radar suggests the tornado was already on the ground.
    — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Rain was falling as a thunderstorm moved through Dellona at the time of the crash.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • The Kremlin’s barrage hit a bridge and ambulance station, while Kyiv reportedly fired upwards of 600 drones on the Moscow region alone.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The storm on Wednesday that may have spawned a tornado was one in a barrage of strong storms across Southern California this week that caused localized flooding, strong rains and high winds, including a swift-water rescue in Los Angeles.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrage
Noun
  • The interview in The Bookman had inaugurated what turned into a flurry of correspondence with his old clerk in the spring of 1892.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a flurry of beauty M&A activity in 2025 — a record 384 deals globally, to be specific — average deal value is on the decline.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That allowed passengers to hear the commotion and discover what was happening.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Monday is expected to stay dry, with temperatures around 78 degrees, before a cold front brings the area’s next chance of rain, 20% to 40%, Monday night, the weather service said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory Thursday as rain and king tides are forecast to soak South Florida.
    — Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of rain
Noun
  • In the 1960s America launched the Vela fleet of satellites, whose sole task was to look at Earth’s surface and search for any telltale neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays—extremely high-energy particles—coming from a nuclear explosion.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Most of these fragments were generated by explosions and orbital collisions that shattered satellites and used rocket stages into clouds of dangerous debris.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Management upheaval at Netflix continued Monday as the streamer’s head of films Dan Lin exited.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Law enforcement was deployed to contain the upheaval, and the government is holding public security summits on Monday to handle future responses.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Verb
  • One American season later, the race demons raged and all of those commitments are dropped.
    — Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Also intertwined are ancient myths of warring city-states, the raw, moody poetry of John Keats, and the modern battle between a faithless husband and his wife, the poem’s raging speaker.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

storing
storm
storm cellar
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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on storm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about storm

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