variants
or tornados
as in hurricanes
a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point
A siren alerted the town that they were in the path of a tornado. a tornado warning
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Recent Examples of tornadoes
The security laminate not only protects the entrances against an active shooter, but can help in natural disasters such as tornados as well, Caparelli-Ruff said.
—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
In March 1948, central Oklahoma was inundated with destructive tornadoes -- two of which struck the Tinker Air Force Base.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
Forecasters are also tracking severe thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic that could bring damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding, potentially affecting holiday travel and evening fireworks displays.
—
Erin McGarry,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
Through July 4, there is also a risk of hail, lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts and tornadoes in the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic westward to the Plains region.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
The governor requested the activation of all areas of the Individual Assistance program for the counties hardest hit by the tornadoes.
—
Christina Zhang,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
In 2026, tornadoes and other severe storms have ravaged the Midwest and Southeast.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The chance of damaging winds is low, while the chance of hail and tornadoes is very low.
—
Arkansas Online,
24 June 2026
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
In March 1948, central Oklahoma was inundated with destructive tornadoes -- two of which struck the Tinker Air Force Base.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
4 July 2026
Forecasters are also tracking severe thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic that could bring damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding, potentially affecting holiday travel and evening fireworks displays.
—
Erin McGarry,
NBC news,
3 July 2026
Through July 4, there is also a risk of hail, lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts and tornadoes in the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic westward to the Plains region.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
The governor requested the activation of all areas of the Individual Assistance program for the counties hardest hit by the tornadoes.
—
Christina Zhang,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
In 2026, tornadoes and other severe storms have ravaged the Midwest and Southeast.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The chance of damaging winds is low, while the chance of hail and tornadoes is very low.
—
Arkansas Online,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tornadoes
hurricanes
Noun
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But after a series of expensive hurricanes — Katrina, Sandy, Harvey — the National Flood Insurance Program went into debt.
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Heat is also the deadliest type of weather in the US, with a higher annual average death toll than tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning combined, according to weather service statistics.
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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