1
2
as in tides
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the winds of public opinion are changing on this issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in curvatures
something that curves or is curved
there's one last easterly wind to the river before it empties into the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in coils
to follow a circular or spiral course
flowering vines wind around the porch's graceful columns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worms
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way
self-interest winds itself into everything that he does—even his alleged favors for other people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 winds
Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Weekend in the 50s ahead Over Oklahoma City, the weather is predicted to hit 55 degrees at its highest on Saturday, and has the makings of a windy day overall with average winds at 10 mph and gusts up to 23 mph.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
Sustained, strong winds are possible.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Red-orange and fierce in color, high and wide in girth, the flames surged forward, consuming every house, school, church, business, vehicle, bush and bicycle in its path, animated by hundred mile an hour winds and dragged by the swirling clouds of smoke that flushed ahead and settled over our home.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Despite a morning weather forecast calling for snow and high winds, the bride was determined for everything to go as planned.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Tornadic waterspouts move from land to water or form over water, often with severe thunderstorms, and typically feature high winds, hail and lightning, NOAA said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The Palisades and Eaton fires were burning out of control in Los Angeles County as ferocious winds fueled the fast-moving blazes.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
It's been really, really strong winds all day.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Part of the Great American Rail-Trail, this section winds through the historic mining towns of Wallace and Kellogg.
—Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
Given the gale force NE'rly winds some minor soundside coastal flooding (up to 1-2 ft) may also occur starting with the Tue afternoon high tide cycle as well.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
In January, Zapata will open a flight center near Las Vegas, where dreamers can fly on a geofenced track that winds around the roughly 50-acre property.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Kevin Parker winds back the clock, tunes up the dancefloor and reminds us to get our arms out wide (or up high) on Deadbeat, Tame Impala’s fifth and latest full-length studio album.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
From here, enjoy a leisurely drive along iconic Skyline Drive, which winds 101 miles along the park’s ridgeline.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The brush automatically winds your hair around it to boost the volume.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The 469-mile scenic roadway managed by the National Park Service winds through North Carolina and Virginia.
—Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
As the Palisades Fire burned out of control under hurricane-force winds, some residents chose to stay and fight, like Cort Wagner.
—Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Weekend in the 50s ahead Over Oklahoma City, the weather is predicted to hit 55 degrees at its highest on Saturday, and has the makings of a windy day overall with average winds at 10 mph and gusts up to 23 mph.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 9 Jan. 2026
Sustained, strong winds are possible.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Red-orange and fierce in color, high and wide in girth, the flames surged forward, consuming every house, school, church, business, vehicle, bush and bicycle in its path, animated by hundred mile an hour winds and dragged by the swirling clouds of smoke that flushed ahead and settled over our home.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Despite a morning weather forecast calling for snow and high winds, the bride was determined for everything to go as planned.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Tornadic waterspouts move from land to water or form over water, often with severe thunderstorms, and typically feature high winds, hail and lightning, NOAA said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The Palisades and Eaton fires were burning out of control in Los Angeles County as ferocious winds fueled the fast-moving blazes.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
It's been really, really strong winds all day.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
Drivers can take two scenic routes to Arraial do Cabo—either the northern road that winds through rolling hills or the southern one that follows the coastline.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Part of the Great American Rail-Trail, this section winds through the historic mining towns of Wallace and Kellogg.
—Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
Given the gale force NE'rly winds some minor soundside coastal flooding (up to 1-2 ft) may also occur starting with the Tue afternoon high tide cycle as well.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
In January, Zapata will open a flight center near Las Vegas, where dreamers can fly on a geofenced track that winds around the roughly 50-acre property.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Kevin Parker winds back the clock, tunes up the dancefloor and reminds us to get our arms out wide (or up high) on Deadbeat, Tame Impala’s fifth and latest full-length studio album.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
From here, enjoy a leisurely drive along iconic Skyline Drive, which winds 101 miles along the park’s ridgeline.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The brush automatically winds your hair around it to boost the volume.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
The 469-mile scenic roadway managed by the National Park Service winds through North Carolina and Virginia.
—Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winds
Verb
-
Dry all surfaces completely and replace knobs, drip pans, and coils back on the stove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Guiteau eventually worms his way into an audience, ostensibly seeking an ambassadorship for his dubious contributions to the campaign but, in reality, requesting a path to greatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Here, the story turns on Andrius a young man who infiltrates a radical neo-Nazi group to find the killer of his LGBT+ activist boyfriend.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The Savant stars Chastain as an undercover investigator who infiltrates online hate groups and takes them down from the inside.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The trail brushes past the Bell Rock formation, then curves away from the road and crosses some red rock ledges offering impressive vistas.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Clara, grieving in her own way, sneaks out, gets drunk and high and sees her boyfriend without her mom’s permission.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Determined, Khaled sneaks into Israel and embarks on a journey to the sea.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To load the product onto the brush, Barnes swirls the tool into the pan twice and taps it twice to prevent fallout.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The lights are dim and jazzy music swirls the intimate crowd.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The video opens with her washing dishes when a golden ring slips down the drain.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement The next morning, Peter’s mask slips.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Detailed this week in the journal ACS Sensors, the team describes a small device made from an array of microneedles that inserts into a dead fish (or fillets) and continuously measures hypoxanthine (HX), a key compound closely associated with spoilage.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Amid the melodrama, Trier inserts flashes of comedy.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winds. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share