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
The National Weather Service confirmed on Tuesday that 12 tornadoes were produced across Illinois and northern Indiana during a series of severe storms earlier this month.
—
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The greatest risk is expected across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, where storms could bring large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf could be slammed by strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Widespread flooding rains, dust storms and tornadoes are possible.
—Daniel Manzo, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
In the wake of the deadly March 10 tornadoes in Indiana and Illinois, officials are emphasizing the importance of protecting important documents and securing valuables.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Many of the key processes that produce tornadoes occur within a few hundred meters of the ground and evolve over minutes, which means radars, satellites and weather stations often miss them.
—Perry Samson, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
No hurricane made landfall in the US in 2025, but Matt Brannon of Insurify pointed to the toll from severe convective storms, which can produce tornadoes, hail and destructive winds.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 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
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
The greatest risk is expected across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, where storms could bring large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf could be slammed by strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2026
Widespread flooding rains, dust storms and tornadoes are possible.
—Daniel Manzo, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
In the wake of the deadly March 10 tornadoes in Indiana and Illinois, officials are emphasizing the importance of protecting important documents and securing valuables.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Many of the key processes that produce tornadoes occur within a few hundred meters of the ground and evolve over minutes, which means radars, satellites and weather stations often miss them.
—Perry Samson, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
No hurricane made landfall in the US in 2025, but Matt Brannon of Insurify pointed to the toll from severe convective storms, which can produce tornadoes, hail and destructive winds.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 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
-
While wildfires and hurricanes grab headlines, another type of severe weather may present unappreciated risks for homeowners and insurers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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That concern is particularly heightened if a fire doesn’t materialize — less of an issue for hurricanes.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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