variants
or tornados
as in hurricanes
a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point
A siren alerted the town that they were in the path of a tornado. a tornado warning
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Recent Examples of tornadoes
The tornadoes were the latest in a severe-weather season that has been unusually active in the Kansas City region.
—
Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
Deadly tornadoes struck North Texas Saturday, including an EF2 tornado near Runaway Bay, about 80 miles northwest of Dallas.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Even as homeowners face more extreme weather like recent wildfires, floods and tornadoes, millions of them are foregoing home insurance, often due to soaring costs.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Monday saw severe thunderstorms and intense hail across the Midwest, with lightning strikes visible from space and potential tornadoes spotted on the ground.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The Storm Prediction Center warns of very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes through at least midweek.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The rising heat and sinking cold created a rotation effect that encouraged tornadoes, Molina said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible.
—Max Golembo, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
Deadly tornadoes struck North Texas Saturday, including an EF2 tornado near Runaway Bay, about 80 miles northwest of Dallas.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Even as homeowners face more extreme weather like recent wildfires, floods and tornadoes, millions of them are foregoing home insurance, often due to soaring costs.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Monday saw severe thunderstorms and intense hail across the Midwest, with lightning strikes visible from space and potential tornadoes spotted on the ground.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
The Storm Prediction Center warns of very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes through at least midweek.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The rising heat and sinking cold created a rotation effect that encouraged tornadoes, Molina said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The storms could to persist in the region through the weekend, threatening additional rainfall, hail and possible tornadoes across Louisiana and Alabama.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible.
—Max Golembo, ABC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tornadoes
hurricanes
Noun
-
While relocating to Florida has its benefits—great weather, a large retirement community, and tax benefits—Investopedia notes that the state experiences hurricanes, and real estate insurance and air conditioning costs tend to be higher.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The more frequent the return period (red on the map), the more often hurricanes historically hit that area.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tornadoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tornadoes. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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