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
Where, in the springtime, sudden storms send tornadoes tearing through towns, destroying everything in their wake.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Places with fast average winds rarely experience significant gusts, and besides, gusts are recorded at ground level and in the sky—namely during tornadoes.
—Josh Lew, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Clifty Inn dates to 1924, but was damaged by tornadoes in 1974, replaced in 1975, and renovated in 2006.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Multiple tornadoes already tore through several states this week.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2026
After a bout of severe weather and tornadoes crossed Oklahoma on Thursday, the Sooner State will likely see more cold and precipitation into the week ahead.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
The system originated over the southern Plains, where strong wind shear and moderate instability produced tornadoes and severe gusts.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
How is the intensity of tornadoes measured?
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 6 Jan. 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
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Places with fast average winds rarely experience significant gusts, and besides, gusts are recorded at ground level and in the sky—namely during tornadoes.
—Josh Lew, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Clifty Inn dates to 1924, but was damaged by tornadoes in 1974, replaced in 1975, and renovated in 2006.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Multiple tornadoes already tore through several states this week.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2026
After a bout of severe weather and tornadoes crossed Oklahoma on Thursday, the Sooner State will likely see more cold and precipitation into the week ahead.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
The system originated over the southern Plains, where strong wind shear and moderate instability produced tornadoes and severe gusts.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
How is the intensity of tornadoes measured?
—Chris Mueller, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 6 Jan. 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
-
Bonafilia points to the Clara Lionel Foundation’s mobile health clinic, designed to bring care directly into communities, especially those hit hard by hurricanes and natural disasters.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
From his coverage of hurricanes and the Pulse nightclub tragedy, to traveling with the Lake Mary little league team on their historic championship run, Justin is a journalist who has stood side-by-side with his home community to cover challenges and happy milestones.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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