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
While the severe weather threat may include damaging winds, experts expect fewer tornadoes than last year.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Forecasters predict fewer tornadoes than last year, but damaging winds and downpours remain a threat.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 3 Feb. 2026
The freaky happenings in this seemingly antiseptic city include clashes with werewolves, bigfoot, aliens, ghosts, mummies, alternate dimensions, vengeful tornados, and Elvis!
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Severe weather forecast in Oklahoma There were 1,559 tornadoes reported in the United States last year, nearly 200 over the national average.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 29 Jan. 2026
Five feet of snow fell in Smoky Mountain National Park, and Florida experienced hurricane conditions and more than 27 tornadoes.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Brandi D. Addison, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
Forecasters predict fewer tornadoes than last year, but damaging winds and downpours remain a threat.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 3 Feb. 2026
The freaky happenings in this seemingly antiseptic city include clashes with werewolves, bigfoot, aliens, ghosts, mummies, alternate dimensions, vengeful tornados, and Elvis!
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Severe weather forecast in Oklahoma There were 1,559 tornadoes reported in the United States last year, nearly 200 over the national average.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 29 Jan. 2026
Five feet of snow fell in Smoky Mountain National Park, and Florida experienced hurricane conditions and more than 27 tornadoes.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tornadoes
hurricanes
Noun
-
She’s covered several hurricanes in South Florida, including 2022’s Hurricane Ian, which flooded her TV station.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
At the same time, climate impacts are getting real—droughts are supercharging fire seasons; hotter seas are intensifying hurricanes.—
Christian Elliott,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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