1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow)
the sudden summertime tempest drove us off the golf course and into the clubhouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the town council handled the tempest over cuts to the school budget as well as could be expected
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempest
Scientists are scratching their heads over what drives these powerful tempests.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
The force of the collision pushed up mountains three miles high; millions of years of tempests wore them down.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2024
Expansive rain from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power.
—Stephen Smith, arkansasonline.com, 29 Sep. 2024
Research led by University of Michigan planetary scientist Cheng Li discovered a commonplace culprit behind Saturn’s tempests: water.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempest 
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
The force of the collision pushed up mountains three miles high; millions of years of tempests wore them down.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2024
Expansive rain from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power.
—Stephen Smith, arkansasonline.com, 29 Sep. 2024
Research led by University of Michigan planetary scientist Cheng Li discovered a commonplace culprit behind Saturn’s tempests: water.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempest
Noun
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The impact of the first storm since Jan. 3 to bring measurable rain to parts of the region outside the North Bay has been significant in some areas and considerably less in others, according to the weather service.—
Rick Hurd,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
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This is due to cooler sea surface temperatures near the coast that allow storms like nor’easters to tap into colder air and produce more snow instead of rain.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The 68-page report names the woman identified as Jane Doe, whose allegations about Bickle were made public in October 2023, causing upheaval in the 24/7 global prayer movement and inspiring other women to come forward.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2025
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Despite its cheerful colors, the painting suggests violence and upheaval.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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These squalls could cause sharp reductions in visibility and rapid accumulation of snow, according to the NWS Green Bay office.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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That could drastically reduce visibility within heavier snow showers and squalls, the National Weather Services noted in its hazardous weather outlook advisory.—
Jade Jackson,
The Indianapolis Star,
11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The regime had been trying to make sure that the collapse of public services did not reach Caracas, sacrificing the rest of the country while doing so, in an attempt to avoid massive unrest in the capital that could lead to an uprising.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2025
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Trump’s actions are creating conditions for violence, racial unrest and instability.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its parent company, Ocean Approved, launched this consumer brand in 2019 and is leading a quiet, underwater revolution in American agriculture.—
Heide Brandes,
thehustle.co,
24 Jan. 2025
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Since no one else is abandoning the renewable energy revolution, the rest of the world will now look to China to help meet that demand.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Berti also warned that aftershocks are common, and Idaho may feel additional earthquakes Monday or over the next few days.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2025
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The most recent comparable earthquake in the area struck in 2012, when a 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit Hollis Center, Maine.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tempest
Cite this Entry
“Tempest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempest. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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