variants
also tsunami
as in seas
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.
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 tsunamis
Scientists can now say with confidence that this year’s tsunami in Tracy Arm was Alaska’s second-tallest wave on record, behind Lituya Bay.
—
Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Southern Argentina and Chile are accustomed to seismic activity, but even moderate temblors can disrupt communities, damage property and, in severe cases, trigger tsunami warnings.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Historical evidence suggests that a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck Alexandria centuries ago, causing much of the land to sink into the Mediterranean.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Regional tsunami warnings have since been cancelled, according to Reuters, but the pair of quakes left behind damage to buildings and roads.
—Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an update around noon local time, saying the tsunami threat in the Philippines had passed, having earlier said waves 3 to 9 feet high were possible, though warnings from other agencies remained in place.
—Mikhail Flores, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
The production was plagued by hurricanes, tsunami warnings, stinging jellyfish and several injuries — including Costner, who almost died while riding out a storm stranded atop a mast after his safety line had snapped.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Humboldt and Del Norte counties have significant tsunami risk.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
So grateful for the tsunami of prayers for our students, staff, & families.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Southern Argentina and Chile are accustomed to seismic activity, but even moderate temblors can disrupt communities, damage property and, in severe cases, trigger tsunami warnings.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Historical evidence suggests that a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck Alexandria centuries ago, causing much of the land to sink into the Mediterranean.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Regional tsunami warnings have since been cancelled, according to Reuters, but the pair of quakes left behind damage to buildings and roads.
—Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an update around noon local time, saying the tsunami threat in the Philippines had passed, having earlier said waves 3 to 9 feet high were possible, though warnings from other agencies remained in place.
—Mikhail Flores, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
The production was plagued by hurricanes, tsunami warnings, stinging jellyfish and several injuries — including Costner, who almost died while riding out a storm stranded atop a mast after his safety line had snapped.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Humboldt and Del Norte counties have significant tsunami risk.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
So grateful for the tsunami of prayers for our students, staff, & families.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tsunamis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tsunamis. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share