storm 1 of 2

Definition of stormnext
1
as in thunderstorm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in barrage
a heavy fall of objects police had to endure a storm of rocks and bricks hurled by the rioters

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the storm caused major damage to our barn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a storm of indignation and demands for his resignation arose when the mayor's dishonesty was exposed

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

storm

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to rain
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it storms so frequently up in the mountains that the peaks are rarely visible from the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger by the time we arrived, our hostess was storming because dinner was ruined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb storm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail, assault, attack, and bombard. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

When might assail be a better fit than storm?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Where would assault be a reasonable alternative to storm?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would attack be a good substitute for storm?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can bombard be used instead of storm?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

How does the verb storm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail, assault, attack, and bombard. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

When might assail be a better fit than storm?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Where would assault be a reasonable alternative to storm?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would attack be a good substitute for storm?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can bombard be used instead of storm?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

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 storm
Noun
Additionally, another cluster of showers and storms may approach the I-35 corridor by late Monday night. Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Apr. 2026 For example, at the Hale Cook permit meeting, members of the public asked about the accessibility of the gym, how the new addition will function as a storm shelter and whether the new classrooms add enough room for expansion. Maria Benevento, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Video podcasters are storming streaming platforms. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time in half a decade after storming into Phoenix to defeat the Suns in a thrilling NBA Play-In Tournament showdown. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for storm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm
Noun
  • Big watching-a-thunderstorm-from-the-front-porch energy.
    Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Springfield and Delavan Lake are other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm.
    Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But a barrage of Stop Sales riddled the contents of the uncool flip- top cooler with raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, egg rolls, tofu, raw beef and beef tendon all measuring at least 12 degrees above 41 degrees.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Curry scored a game-high 35 points, and Al Horford scored 14 for the Warriors, including a barrage of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Public Service Commission has approved a flurry of rate hikes in recent years as private utilities grapple with maintaining profits while improving infrastructure in a mountainous, sparsely populated state.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The commotion awakened the victim’s mother, who rushed in, causing the suspect to burst out of the home and flee, authorities said.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer had said the shooter had shot and killed himself in the commotion.
    Reuters, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The rain is finally coming to an end for much of Michigan, but the impact of these storms over the past few days remains in many areas in Metro Detroit, like on Davis Drive in Utica, where dealing with floods has become a way of life.
    Heath Kalb, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Borchardt said more rain (about half an inch to an inch) was expected Friday night.
    Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The arraignment continues for six out of the eight people arrested in connection with the Esparto explosion that killed seven men.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The video allowed researchers to calculate the trajectory of the missile flying uncharacteristically low and match it with other reports of explosions, Lair said.
    Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Set in Shizuoka during the 1970s and ’80s, the film draws on Kimura’s own family history, following a single mother’s pursuit of personal freedom amid the social upheaval of the era.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Their home offers refuge to Black travelers navigating the upheaval of the Great Migration.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In July of 2024, as fighting raged in Khartoum, a Sudanese weapons broker WhatsApped Mafi to contract a shipment of Qods Mohajer-6 drones — the same ones Iran has long supplied Russia in its war in Ukraine, according to the complaint.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The raging optimism and confidence.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/storm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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