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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in flurry

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 of storm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The North Carolina property, which has been closed since the storm, plans to welcome visitors beginning on November 2—just in time for the holiday season. —

Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Twenty-nine counties in North Carolina were affected by the storm, although 13 counties received the brunt of the damage. —

Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

True to Fat Joe’s word, Big Boogie stormed onto the stage with high energy. —

Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2024 In images reminiscent of the antiwar protests of the Vietnam era, police in riot gear stormed Hamilton Hall, where Grosso was arrested, after protesters took over the building. —

Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for storm

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'storm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.