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
There were countless moments of sudden retreat and explosive payoff, like the eerie calm before a tsunami.
—
Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Indeed, there is much talk in Detroit about the competitive tsunami that will be unleashed on American automakers once Chinese car companies find a way to break through trade barriers now protecting the US market.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Too bad about Xavier’s wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma), drowning in the mega-tsunami that also wiped out life on the Earth’s surface, huh?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2026
Three decades later, that secret arrived on American shores like a tsunami—sheet masks, snail mucin, toner pads, pimple patches lining every retail shelf.
—David Yi, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Indeed, there is much talk in Detroit about the competitive tsunami that will be unleashed on American automakers once Chinese car companies find a way to break through trade barriers now protecting the US market.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Too bad about Xavier’s wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma), drowning in the mega-tsunami that also wiped out life on the Earth’s surface, huh?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2026
Three decades later, that secret arrived on American shores like a tsunami—sheet masks, snail mucin, toner pads, pimple patches lining every retail shelf.
—David Yi, Allure, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tsunami
Noun
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In the first two weeks of the war, there has been a surge in the number of Americans looking to save money on energy—by asking for quotes on home solar systems and looking up electric vehicles online.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
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The United States tied the game in the eighth inning on a Bryce Harper two-run home run before Venezuela put together one final offensive surge.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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East coast surf towns are few and far between, but Folly Beach stands out as one great example.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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Most eFoil riders stand with their feet as the only two points of contact, but Canadian inventor Jerry McArthur – who came up through motocross and snowmobiles, not surf culture – thought that keeping your hands free meant leaving stability on the table.—
Omar Kardoudi
March 11,
New Atlas,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What was initially an unusual swell of Canadian patriotism a year ago has evolved into a new social and economic order for the country of 41 million.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
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To accommodate this swell of invitees, sponsors, and staff (as well as the parade of black cars from a start-up called Uber), the Vanity Fair Oscar Party needed a larger home.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Last summer the department outlined a plan to allocate as many as 50 full-time employees to review the tidal wave of applications that would cost filers $20 each.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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The tidal wave of undocumented people booked into the Orange County Jail without criminal charges has dropped dramatically following a letter from Mayor Jerry Demings to ICE officials setting new rules for the feds.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tsunami. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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