variants
or tornados
as in hurricanes
a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point
A siren alerted the town that they were in the path of a tornado. a tornado warning
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Recent Examples of tornadoes
Some of these storms could become strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes all possible, according to the NWS.
—
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Some of these storms could be strong to severe, with all hazards — damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes — being possible.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
In addition, from late afternoon to about midnight, there's a chance for strong to severe thunderstorms with a low threat of tornados and hail, according to the National Weather Service of Wilmington.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
April also marks a time where the chances of severe thunderstorms will rise, including the threat of large hail and tornadoes.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
Atmospheric data collected by meteorologists has heightened their concern that a squall line of storms moving east across the state have the potential of spawning tornadoes inside the line.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
After a brief break, severe weather is returning to the forecast as April begins – mainly across the central United States, with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding downpours all possible.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The supercell produced 10 tornadoes in Illinois and two others in northern Indiana on March 10.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Some of these storms could be strong to severe, with all hazards — damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes — being possible.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
In addition, from late afternoon to about midnight, there's a chance for strong to severe thunderstorms with a low threat of tornados and hail, according to the National Weather Service of Wilmington.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026
April also marks a time where the chances of severe thunderstorms will rise, including the threat of large hail and tornadoes.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
Atmospheric data collected by meteorologists has heightened their concern that a squall line of storms moving east across the state have the potential of spawning tornadoes inside the line.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
After a brief break, severe weather is returning to the forecast as April begins – mainly across the central United States, with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding downpours all possible.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The supercell produced 10 tornadoes in Illinois and two others in northern Indiana on March 10.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tornadoes
hurricanes
Noun
-
The studies found 49 in coastal areas are at risk from sea-level rise or storm surge from hurricanes, with many located near highly populated areas and important ecological locales like Chesapeake Bay.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There is a separate list of names for Central Pacific hurricanes, which can occasionally hit Hawaii.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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