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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 system that caused historic flooding in West Virginia Tuesday into Wednesday and wreaked havoc from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast will linger across Virginia and the Southeast through the end of the week. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 Onlookers watched the storm surge at the Lake Pontchartrain estuary, with kids splashing in the floodwaters as Bertha approached the Louisiana Coast. — ABC News, 23 July 2026
Verb
Although significant, that event was far less powerful than the Carrington Event — or the even rarer storms the new study suggests may be possible. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 July 2026 On the Autobahn, the Cayenne effortlessly stormed to its 162 mph top speed, feeling granite-solid and maintaining an air of serenity inside. — Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 15 July 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 probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • But the night ended in a barrage of bullets after Hicks broke free from Smith and Harris, who had pinned her to the ground, according to the document.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Brittin and members of his top team were confronted with a barrage of unhappy questions from employees, who fired shots at plans for a below-inflation 1% pay rise, voiced anxiety about 2,000 layoffs, and lamented the low morale among colleagues.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Definition of barrage
Noun
  • On July 20, 2026 The opening match of WWE Raw started out hot with a flurry of offense from Je’Von Evans and Dragon Lee.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The singer divides her time between managing the sandwich shop and flying to perform at a flurry of concerts around the country.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Delhi Police said Wangchuk was taken to hospital after his health worsened during the hunger strike, and that a brief commotion occurred when some protesters tried to block the move.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The commotion was so loud that Netanyahu left the chamber, sitting out the vote entirely.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • Dreessen predicts the smoke will lessen by the time thunderstorms roll through, lowering the chance of dirty rain.
    — Nicole Pilsbury, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2026
  • Moreno directed Episode 7, which centers on Macondo’s legendary years of relentless rain.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 17 July 2026
Definition of rain
Noun
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Deep ocean recordings blend with orchestral timpani, distant explosions, vibrations and the recorded buzzing of bees.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Opera Carolina lawsuits and turnover Opera Carolina has seen significant upheaval since 2024, including public and internal criticism over questions regarding nepotism and the leadership structure.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • Cassidy grilled both Schwartz and Kaufman at a committee hearing last week, questioning whether Schwartz would have autonomy in her role after CDC upheaval last year and raising Kaufman’s past remarks about vaccines.
    — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Definition of upheaval
Verb
  • In January 2025, as the LA wildfires raged, people placed bets on Polymarket, one of the leading prediction market platforms.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • These two characters have maybe two minutes of screentime between them, and yet a certain portion of the internet, and Elon Musk, have raged, gnashed teeth and howled to the wind about the way this denigrates a Greek classic.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 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 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on storm

Nglish: Translation of storm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about storm

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