westerly

noun

Definition of westerlynext
as in gale

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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 westerly Wendling, the most north-westerly site of all and barely in the valley, turns the same cool end darker, toward plum, blackberry and savoury earth. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 First, through a combination of weaker trade winds and westerlies over the tropical Atlantic, La Niña tends to create a more placid atmosphere. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024 Their modest city saw an influx of evacuees from nearby rural and coastal regions soon after hot westerlies sent walls of flame into a string of towns and villages around New Year's Eve. — NBC News, 11 Jan. 2020 As the land cools in the autumn, north-easterly winds replace the south-westerlies (see map). — The Economist, 27 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for westerly
  1. gale
  2. wind
  3. blow
  4. northeaster
  5. headwind
Noun
  • As the nor’easter began to take shape, gale-force winds began pushing water over hundreds of miles of the Atlantic toward the coast.
    — Brian Tang, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Inland wind gusts could reach 25 to 30 mph, with gale-force gusts possible over the water.
    — Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of gale
Noun
  • Tropical storm-force winds began to lash the Gulf shoreline around midday, hours before Isaias was expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The hurricane is moving to the north-northeast at 15 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of wind
Noun
  • For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • The ocean keeps coming because of climate change, sea level rise, nor'easters, hurricanes, et cetera.
    — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 8 July 2023
  • That morning, around 6, authorities found O'Keefe on the ground outside the Canton home just before a nor'easter struck the town with 21 inches of snow.
    — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 26 May 2023
Definition of northeaster
Noun
  • Shares of Neurogene have fallen roughly 32% over the past three months amid a broader pullback in bio-tech stocks due to structural headwinds.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Tony has played an important role over the course of his tenure, stepping up during challenging periods and leading his team through both internal changes and industry headwinds.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of headwind

Browse Nearby Words

westerlies
westerly
wet
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Cite this Entry

“Westerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/westerly. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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