View synonyms for storm

storm

1

[stawrm]

noun

  1. a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere, manifesting itself by winds of unusual force or direction, often accompanied by rain, snow, hail, thunder, and lightning, or flying sand or dust.

  2. a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, or a violent outbreak of thunder and lightning, unaccompanied by strong winds.

  3. Also called violent stormMeteorology.,  a wind of 64–72 miles per hour (29–32 meters per second).

  4. a violent military assault on a fortified place, strong position, or the like.

  5. a heavy or sudden volley or discharge.

    a storm of criticism; a storm of bullets.

  6. a violent disturbance of affairs, as a civil, political, social, or domestic commotion.

  7. a violent outburst or outbreak of expression.

    a storm of applause.

  8. Informal.,  storm window.



verb (used without object)

  1. (of the wind or weather) to blow with unusual force, or to rain, snow, hail, etc., especially with violence (usually used impersonally with it as subject).

    It stormed all day.

  2. to rage or complain with violence or fury.

    He stormed angrily at me.

  3. to deliver a violent attack or fire, as with artillery.

    The troops stormed against the garrison.

  4. to rush to an assault or attack.

    The tanks stormed towards the city.

  5. to rush angrily.

    to storm out of a room.

verb (used with object)

  1. to subject to or as if to a storm.

    The salesman stormed them with offers.

  2. to utter or say with angry vehemence.

    The strikers stormed their demands.

  3. to attack or assault (persons, places, or things).

    to storm a fortress.

Storm

2

[shtohrm]

noun

  1. Theodore Woldsen 1817–88, German poet and novelist.

storm

/ stɔːm /

noun

    1. a violent weather condition of strong winds, rain, hail, thunder, lightning, blowing sand, snow, etc

    2. ( as modifier )

      storm signal

      storm sail

    3. ( in combination )

      stormproof

  1. meteorol a violent gale of force 10 on the Beaufort scale reaching speeds of 55 to 63 mph

  2. a strong or violent reaction

    a storm of protest

  3. a direct assault on a stronghold

  4. a heavy discharge or rain, as of bullets or missiles

  5. short for storm window

  6. US equivalent: tempest in a teapota violent fuss or disturbance over a trivial matter

    1. to capture or overrun by a violent assault

    2. to overwhelm and enthral

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to attack or capture (something) suddenly and violently

  2. (intr) to be vociferously angry

  3. (intr) to move or rush violently or angrily

  4. (intr; with it as subject) to rain, hail, or snow hard and be very windy, often with thunder or lightning

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

storm

  1. A low-pressure atmospheric disturbance resulting in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning.

  2. A wind with a speed from 103 to 117 km (64 to 73 mi) per hour, rating 11 on the Beaufort scale.

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Other Word Forms

  • stormlike adjective
  • outstorm verb (used with object)
  • unstormed adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of storm1

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch storm, German Sturm, Old Norse stormr; (verb) Middle English stormen, derivative of the noun (compare obsolete sturme, Middle English sturmen, Old English styrman, denominative verb from the same Germanic base as storm ); akin to stir 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of storm1

Old English, related to Old Norse stormr, German Sturm; see stir 1
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. storm in a teacup. teacup.

see any port in a storm; kick up a fuss (storm); ride out (the storm); take by storm; weather the storm.
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kit designer Rob Warner calls it a "perfect storm".

Read more on BBC

There were concerns that people had been underprepared for storms in Queensland because of the site's poor usability.

Read more on BBC

Spain has in recent years endured longer and more intense summer heatwaves, while fiercer autumn storms have drenched the country with torrential rain -- extreme weather events that scientists attribute to human-driven climate change.

Read more on Barron's

Every episode begins with a snippet from, of all things, “Help!” as as if warning of storm clouds ahead, and not “All You Need Is Love” or “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the meantime, the Carney government has signalled it will be offering financial relief to sectors impacted by US tariffs as they weather the trade storm.

Read more on BBC

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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