STORM Synonyms: 353 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'storm' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail , assault , attack , and bombard . While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position. // preparing to storm the fortress

Q: When might 'assail' be a better fit than 'storm'?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm , assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots. // assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Q: Where would 'assault' be a reasonable alternative to 'storm'?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught. // commandos assaulted the building from all sides

Q: When would 'attack' be a good substitute for 'storm'?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle. // plan to attack the town at dawn

Q: When can 'bombard' be used instead of 'storm'?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells. // bombarded the city nightly

storm 1 of 2

noun

ˈstȯrm

Definition of storm next

as in thunderstorm

a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a winter storm bringing about six inches of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in barrage

a heavy fall of objects police had to endure a storm of rocks and bricks hurled by the rioters

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as in flurry

a rapid or overwhelming outpouring of many things at once the army's spokesperson faced a storm of questions from reporters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity a few minutes of calm before the storm, when the store would open its doors on the busiest day of the year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rain

a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the storm caused major damage to our barn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explosion

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a storm of indignation and demands for his resignation arose when the mayor's dishonesty was exposed

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as in upheaval

a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) civil wars and other storms of unrest swept through the African continent

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storm

2 of 2

verb

as in to rage

to express one's anger usually violently the chef spent the morning storming at his staff about the ruined sauces

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rain

to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it storms so frequently up in the mountains that the peaks are rarely visible from the valley below

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against the pirates stormed the ship, easily taking the whole crew as their prisoners

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to steam

to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger by the time we arrived, our hostess was storming because dinner was ruined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb storm contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of storm are assail, assault, attack, and bombard. While all these words mean "to make an onslaught upon," storm implies attempting to break into a defended position.

preparing to storm the fortress

When might assail be a better fit than storm?

While in some cases nearly identical to storm, assail implies attempting to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots.

assailed the enemy with artillery fire

Where would assault be a reasonable alternative to storm?

In some situations, the words assault and storm are roughly equivalent. However, assault suggests a direct attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught.

commandos assaulted the building from all sides

When would attack be a good substitute for storm?

The words attack and storm can be used in similar contexts, but attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle.

plan to attack the town at dawn

When can bombard be used instead of storm?

The words bombard and storm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bombard applies to attacking with bombs or shells.

bombarded the city nightly

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of storm

Noun

Though probably best known for the self-balancing people mover that failed to take the world by storm, Segway has focused much of its attention since then on the micro-mobility market – grabbing headlines with crazy powerful e-scoots and more. —

New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2025 Back in 2016, White Claw launched and took the U.S. by storm. —

Ryan Baker, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025

Verb

But Ralf eventually ended up admitting to have slept with Nancy as recently as the night before and while the audience was clearly hoping for a confrontation between the two women, Nancy stormed off stage admitting defeat. —

Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 Congress certified President-elect Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 election in proceedings Monday that unfolded without challenge, in stark contrast to the Jan. 6, 2021, violence as his mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. —

Matt Brown, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for storm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for storm

Noun

In the South, some showers could occur and a few thunderstorms near the Gulf Coast region by Saturday morning.

Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
Old-fashioned radiators heat the house, whose metal roof lulls the family during gentle rains (thunderstorms, not so much).

Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2025