WESTERLY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

westerly

noun

Definition of westerly

as in gale

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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

Noun

The United States is also facing gale-force productivity headwinds, such as the aging of the population and the relentlessly rising cost of health care, education, and housing.

— Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026
His football outing on ITV was perfectly good value, even if there was the near-instant karma of an off-camera Brooklyn gale threatening to blow the set down.

— Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of gale

Noun

Deadly lightning strikes can occur well ahead of an approaching storm, prior to the arrival of rain and wind.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 2026
Northeastern Minnesota is expected to see conditions ease as southwesterly winds pick up through the day, improving air quality for most of the region by afternoon.

— Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

Definition of wind

Noun

Iran has been degraded by over 13,000 strikes, but has survived and reconstituted, rather than suffering a mortal blow.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
The woman, 41-year-old Ja’Marlette Hardy, bit one of the officers during the July 1 encounter, which led to the officer delivering a blow to her head.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 July 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

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westerlies

westerly

wet

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“Westerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/westerly. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of westerly

noun

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