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
Related Words
Relevance
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 tornadoes
Life-changing weather events like the 1998 tornadoes, the 2010 flood and 2020 tornadoes.
—
Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Throughout his career, Zilber helped plant millions of trees and was a part of the state's response efforts for severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and tornadoes.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Destruction Decoded explores the extent, impact and causes of mega floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and industrial accidents, while Fatal Engineering focuses on high-profile structural accidents and the science behind the disasters.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to those direct fatalities, the government agency said there were 176 direct fatalities caused by either wind, storm surge, flooding or tornadoes.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
On Wednesday, severe storms may span from eastern Texas and western Louisiana up through southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, bringing risks of damaging winds, hail, lightning and isolated tornadoes, according to the outlet.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Long-term evidence is lacking on the number and severity of some extreme weather events, such as tornadoes, and there is some spread in the outcomes of different climate models.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
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
Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Throughout his career, Zilber helped plant millions of trees and was a part of the state's response efforts for severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and tornadoes.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Destruction Decoded explores the extent, impact and causes of mega floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and industrial accidents, while Fatal Engineering focuses on high-profile structural accidents and the science behind the disasters.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to those direct fatalities, the government agency said there were 176 direct fatalities caused by either wind, storm surge, flooding or tornadoes.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
On Wednesday, severe storms may span from eastern Texas and western Louisiana up through southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, bringing risks of damaging winds, hail, lightning and isolated tornadoes, according to the outlet.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Long-term evidence is lacking on the number and severity of some extreme weather events, such as tornadoes, and there is some spread in the outcomes of different climate models.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
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
-
Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
East Pacific hurricanes Hilary and Irwin experienced this version of the Fujiwhara effect in 2017.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share