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Synonyms

stormy

American  
[stawr-mee] / ˈstɔr mi /

adjective

stormier, stormiest
  1. affected, characterized by, or subject to storms; tempestuous.

    a stormy sea.

  2. characterized by violent commotion, actions, speech, passions, etc..

    a stormy debate.


stormy British  
/ ˈstɔːmɪ /

adjective

  1. characterized by storms

  2. subject to, involving, or characterized by violent disturbance or emotional outburst

"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

Usage

What does stormy  mean? Stormy literally describes weather that has resulted in storms or that indicates that storms are coming—especially conditions like dark clouds, strong winds, thunder, lightning, and rain. It is often used in the phrase stormy weather.It can also be used to describe a place that frequently has storms.Stormy can also be used in a figurative way to describe a situation that’s full of conflict and commotion, as in Things got a bit stormy at the council meeting when members started making accusations against each other. Example: Expect stormy skies on your commute this morning—it looks like we’ll get some intense rainstorms starting around 9 o’clock.

Other Word Forms

  • stormily adverb
  • storminess noun
  • unstormily adverb
  • unstorminess noun
  • unstormy adjective

Etymology

Origin of stormy

1150–1200; Middle English; Old English stormig. See storm, -y 1

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.

Beneath the stormy optics of that immigration crackdown, however, lies a less-noticed reversal: America’s own citizens are leaving in record numbers, replanting themselves and their families in lands they find more affordable and safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jean and Hill’s relationship, both creative and romantic, had become one of the stormiest in hip-hop.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the stormy weather has not been without consequence.

From Los Angeles Times

Better still, it even gives you hope for humanity, even if the movie’s overall forecast for society is stormy.

From Los Angeles Times

This week’s latest round of stormy weather hit Southern California with fearsome winds that downed trees and heavy precipitation that flooded roadways and dumped even more snow in the mountains.

From Los Angeles Times