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
Almanac Behind is a gripping listen: a year’s worth of destructive weather compressed into a 43-minute tempest, as the sounds of the near-past warn of a perilous future.
—
Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Cuomo faces a vulnerable incumbent Adams is also seeking reelection but is facing a tempest over the criminal case against him, and the U.S. Justice Department’s extraordinary effort to end the case over the objection of the prosecutors who brought the charges.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Hilaria touches on the media tempest surrounding her accent, reiterating that she was raised bilingual.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
Prior to the Rust shooting, the tempest that most plagued the Baldwins was the lingering public confusion over Hilaria’s ethnicity.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Cuomo faces a vulnerable incumbent Adams is also seeking reelection but is facing a tempest over the criminal case against him, and the U.S. Justice Department’s extraordinary effort to end the case over the objection of the prosecutors who brought the charges.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Hilaria touches on the media tempest surrounding her accent, reiterating that she was raised bilingual.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
Prior to the Rust shooting, the tempest that most plagued the Baldwins was the lingering public confusion over Hilaria’s ethnicity.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempest
Noun
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Hail and damaging winds are the primary threats with these storms, along with a low tornado threat.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
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To the south, near the equator and the sun’s azimuth, low-pressure zones create frequent storms.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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She's recently had to cope with a considerable amount of upheaval due to the work being done on the property.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Pinpointing the traits that boost survivorship during more stable periods and times of planetary upheaval might help scientists and conservationists protect today’s most vulnerable species.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, shortly thereafter snow showers and squalls will tend to bubble up across the Northeast.—
Natalie Venegas,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Drivers are urged to delay their travel until the squall passes.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Geopolitical unrest: Will global conflicts reshape your supply chain?—
Guy Courtin,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Haiti has for several years been under a Level 4 Do Not Travel warning from the U.S. State Department, citing kidnappings, crime, civil unrest and limited healthcare.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Scully, Sand, and the Brotherhood were determined to flood the market, bringing the price of revolution back down to earth.—
John Semley,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2025
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The real revolution in the space economy isn't rockets.—
Reema Khan,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Shocked by this week’s earthquake, zoo elephants formed an ‘alert circle’ to protect their young at San Diego Zoo Get ready for the L.A. Times Festival of Books Our annual book festival is next weekend!—
Alyssa Bereznak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Cuts to American aid under President Donald Trump have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation — one which has reached catastrophic levels following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28.—
Emily Fishbein, Hpan Ja Brang,
The Dial,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempest. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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