1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the surprise verdict of the jury created a wild williwaw as reporters rushed to file their stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gust
a sudden brief rush of wind
a williwaw rose up seemingly out of nowhere and wreaked havoc with our campsite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of williwaw
The williwaw, a gale-force wind that came rolling down the mountain gathering speed, was depicted as a whorled cloud.
—
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2022
The williwaw gusts swirled thick fog among transport ships off Attu Island, and the waiting infantrymen nervously mulled the name of their landing site: Massacre Bay.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 24 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for williwaw
Noun
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Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Glenn wasn’t met with cheers or the sounds of flashing cameras — there was a distinct lack of commotion.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the Nomads is not a lightweight, so the cutoff can feel a bit brutal – akin to being hit by a sudden gust of wind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
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Jamaica will also likely see the strongest winds, with forecasts anticipating gusts between 80 and 100 mph that could batter the island from Thursday through Tuesday.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cornell would arrive at the scene of these disturbances in a suit and tie, carrying a bag containing notepads, tape recorders, cameras and, on occasion, other, homemade instruments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The works, which were still under video surveillance, sat unopened all weekend, with no unusual disturbances recorded.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The heist deals a huge blow to one of the most popular museums in the world, which houses valuable works like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and has drawn some 9 million visitors in recent years.—
NPR,
NPR,
20 Oct. 2025
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So, after scans revealed a back injury in July, to be without Cummins’ captaincy for any length of time would represent a considerable blow to his side’s Ashes hopes.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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The sighting has caused a stir in the country and the broader region, as experts believe the whale could be the elusive Migaloo, an extremely rare, decades-old all-white humpback.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Everything is cooked fresh, served fast, and tastes even better with the salty breeze coming off Bogue Sound.—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
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Highs for Tuesday are in the low 50s with a good breeze and a chance for rain in the afternoon.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To Cuomo, Mamdani is a young man in a hurry whose lack of experience should disqualify him from leading America's largest city.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
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Both teams can put up points in a hurry.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Winners that scud through the court from all directions.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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In low, clear water when trout are spooky, a bait presented on a dry fly or scud hook will drift more naturally with the current and that can mean the difference between a take and a pass.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
7 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Williwaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/williwaw. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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