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
Anti-Diversity Policies: The U.S. State Department is seeking to quell a diplomatic tempest roiling Europe after several American Embassies sent letters to foreign contractors instructing them to certify their compliance with Trump’s policies aimed at unraveling diversity programs.
—
Victoria Kim, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
At the center of this tempest is the Trumpian disdain toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and especially the European nations that are America's main partners in that great endeavor.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
There might be a pension for paralytics, and state aid for those who suffered in person or estate from tempest or wild beasts.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Victoria Kim, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
At the center of this tempest is the Trumpian disdain toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and especially the European nations that are America's main partners in that great endeavor.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
There might be a pension for paralytics, and state aid for those who suffered in person or estate from tempest or wild beasts.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tempest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempest
Noun
-
However, recent storms and outcomes make the case for an uncomfortable, unfamiliar reality.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Flooding is likely, especially for rivers already at elevated levels due to storms earlier this week.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
Noun
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And nowhere is this upheaval more apparent than in the turning tides of geopolitics.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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Farré has now offered those assurances, while admitting the recent exec upheaval has been emotional for everyone.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Despite some heavy rainstorms and squalls of snow in recent months, the Sierra Nevada snowpack today stands at 90% of average, according to state officials.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
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The world of Rudolph’s movie is awash in the blather and squall of media.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This cultural suppression continued for decades, as political unrest escalated and the state’s grip on artistic expression tightened.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
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But residents say in the aftermath of the unrest, police — even ambulances — avoided coming here.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
23 May 2025
Noun
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No industry is immune to the AI revolution, but how are brands using this technology to make consumer experiences better?—
Angus McDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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The most recent casualties in the wearable wars were supposed to herald the AI hardware revolution.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Extreme poverty affected more than one in four Syrians in 2022, the bank said, adding that this number likely deteriorated after a devastating earthquake in February 2023.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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Even temporary exemptions, like those issued after the 2023 earthquake, have had limited effect due to over-compliance by global banks and businesses.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tempest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempest. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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