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
Officials said there was no tsunami threat associated with the earthquake.
—
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The quake triggered tsunami warnings from the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
In this case, the largest tsunami wave measured was about one meter—considerably smaller than the nearly 40-meter tsunami that was generated by the 2011 Tohoku quake in Japan.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 June 2026
Both the National Weather Service of Miami and the Florida Keys said there was no cause for alarm and no tsunami threat, but that didn’t stop confused Floridians from taking to social media and neighborhood Facebook groups to ask if anyone else felt something similar.
—Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
The quake triggered tsunami warnings from the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
In this case, the largest tsunami wave measured was about one meter—considerably smaller than the nearly 40-meter tsunami that was generated by the 2011 Tohoku quake in Japan.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 June 2026
Both the National Weather Service of Miami and the Florida Keys said there was no cause for alarm and no tsunami threat, but that didn’t stop confused Floridians from taking to social media and neighborhood Facebook groups to ask if anyone else felt something similar.
—Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tsunami
Noun
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Campos said the late surge likely reflected voter indecision in the gubernatorial primary.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Swells generated by Arthur are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next day or two.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
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Crystal Cove officials sent out an email noting the challenging conditions with the powerful surf and beach erosion.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Forecasters had warned of strong rip currents and large waves generated by a long-period southern swell, conditions that officials say have contributed to a rise in water rescues across the state.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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Coastal areas in Orange and San Diego counties also face elevated surf and strong rip currents through Friday, June 19, thanks to a south swell, according to the NWS San Diego.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Nor does freedom of speech seem an unambiguous value as a tidal wave of toxic disinformation washes over the republic in its 250th year.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
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Then-President Joe Biden’s party lost nine seats and control of the House that year — not a political tidal wave as many pundits predicted, but a defeat nonetheless.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tsunami. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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