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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Recent Examples of tsunami
Walking in the wilds of northern Japan The northernmost quarter of Japan’s main island, Tohoku was the region worst hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Jan. 2026
Shin Godzilla is a direct reflection of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and ensuing Fukushima nuclear disaster, events that still loom far larger in the Japanese consciousness than a Western viewer might assume.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Moments later, the wave that rockfall generated (a tsunami) washed over the nearby villages of Nuugaatsiaq and Illorsuit.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Japan’s Japan Meteorological Agency says there is no tsunami risk, but warns that earthquakes up to upper-5 intensity could continue for about a week, with the highest risk in the next two to three days.
—Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Jan. 2026
Shin Godzilla is a direct reflection of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and ensuing Fukushima nuclear disaster, events that still loom far larger in the Japanese consciousness than a Western viewer might assume.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Moments later, the wave that rockfall generated (a tsunami) washed over the nearby villages of Nuugaatsiaq and Illorsuit.
—Paul Bierman, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Japan’s Japan Meteorological Agency says there is no tsunami risk, but warns that earthquakes up to upper-5 intensity could continue for about a week, with the highest risk in the next two to three days.
—Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tsunami
Noun
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One of the many unsettling images to emerge from the recent ICE surge in Minneapolis was that of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, in his blue bunny hat, standing in the January cold with the hand of a federal officer gripping his Spider-Man backpack.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Clouds will linger much of the day as a cold front surges into the region.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Find pontoons, bowriders, surf boats, wakeboards, personal watercraft and more, plus a marine retail display.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But most of the 6,000 or so people who live in the town swell with civic pride when one of its most prominent citizens returns, as Bobby McMann will during the Olympic break.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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February 19 – March 20 A tender ripple can become a tidal wave of momentum.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Not surprisingly, One Battle After Another kept up its tidal wave of awards season momentum by scoring a record seven Actor Award nominations, including nods for Outstanding Ensemble Cast and Outstanding Male and Female Actor in a Lead Role notices for Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tsunami. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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