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
Now one of the smaller crafts in the civilian fleet was trapped in the tempest: a sleek 57-foot sailboat called the Zaida.
—
David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
As countries and tech giants jockey for position, the geopolitical tempest that ensues may overshadow the transformative potential of the technology.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for tempest
David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
As countries and tech giants jockey for position, the geopolitical tempest that ensues may overshadow the transformative potential of the technology.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempest
Noun
-
Such a proliferation of storms is rare but not unprecedented, NASA noted, with meteorologists attributing the display in part to warm sea surface temperatures and weak wind shear conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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In the middle of the expedition, however, a vicious storm began to buffet the ship that had brought them out to sea.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The annual Conservative Political Action Conference is mere days away, with this year’s event starting a few weeks after President Donald Trump’s inauguration and ensuing massive upheaval of the U.S. government.—
Asher Notheis,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
17 Feb. 2025
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Even for a department that has endured its share of scandals, the moves have produced upheaval not seen in decades, tested its independence and rattled the foundations of an institution that has long prided itself on being driven solely by facts, evidence and the law.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Rapid reductions in visibility and brief heavier snowfall rates possible within the heavier squalls.—
Natalie Venegas,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
-
The Cape and Rhode Island, however, will still see squalls this hour.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Political tensions rise over resource allocation, with social unrest more frequent.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Pro-Palestinian sentiments still run strong among the peoples of the region, and history has proven how civil unrest can quickly lead to instability even in nominally stable nations.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The fusion of blockchain, AI and decentralized governance models is already disrupting some industries, and those who embrace these changes could be at the forefront of the digital revolution.—
Daniel Levy,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Syria and Libya are very different countries, but Libya, too, experienced an Arab Spring revolution that pitted multiple armed groups against a longtime dictator.—
Maha Yahya,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Reports of earthquake felt away from source (red star) on February 14, 2025.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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This belief stems from their rare appearances near the surface or washing ashore often coinciding with natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempest. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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