tsunami

noun

Definition of tsunaminext
as in surge
a very high, large wave in the ocean that is usually caused by an earthquake under the sea and that can cause great destruction when it reaches land The coastline will suffer devastating damage if a tsunami ever hits it.

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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 tsunami The movie, a harrowing account of one family’s separation during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, earned Watts an Oscar nomination for best actress and marked Holland’s acting debut in a live-action feature film. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 His answer also triggered a tsunami of criticism, but White's answer ultimately overshadowed his and drew attention away from his as the night went on. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The quake struck Tuesday afternoon in Kumamoto prefecture on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu at a relatively shallow depth of 6 miles, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuation from coastal areas. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 29 July 2026 Alia Whitney-Johnson met her in 2005, a college freshman on a tsunami relief trip, there to install water filters and solar lighting. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tsunami
  1. surge
  2. surf
  3. swell
  4. tidal wave
Noun
  • But the downsides of the banking surge go beyond the predictably punishing schedule and the unexpected career limitations (some estimates suggest that only 10% of analysts end up working outside financial services).
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • America’s tech companies are benefiting from the largest investment surge in history, according to the Bank of International Settlements — many of them headquartered on the West Coast.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of surge
Noun
  • The cheeky beach bar, complete with its iconic VW car, serves up drinks, good vibes, and surf lessons for those keen to get on the waves.
    — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, the tides brought dangerous surf conditions to much of the coastline and damaged some of the protective measures put in place by cities.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of surf
Noun
  • According to court documents, Manuel Hernandez, the tour boat captain, made a U-turn and a swell swamped the bow, capsizing the boat with 14 people on board.
    — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Even Ava, the most overtly rage-baity of the bunch, took a weeklong break from social media after receiving a swell of hate messages.
    — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of swell
Noun
  • Though Flock has its cameras in over 5,000 US cities as of July 2026, the rise in rejections at the municipal level comes amidst a tidal wave of outrage around issues of privacy and civil rights.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
  • But if Cal wants to survive the next realignment tidal wave, that apathy has to end today.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tidal wave

Browse Nearby Words

tsk-tsks
tsunami
tsunamis
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Cite this Entry

“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tsunami. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tsunami

Nglish: Translation of tsunami for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tsunami

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