apocalyptic storm
- noun
- /əˈpɒkəˌlɪptɪk stɔrm/
:
tormenta apocalíptica
- As the apocalyptic storm raged outside, families hurried to take cover in shelters.
Examples
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News reports described the hurricane as an apocalyptic storm unlike anything seen in decades.
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The city was devastated by an apocalyptic storm that lasted for hours.
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The apocalyptic storm hit the city without warning.
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Many residents evacuated before the apocalyptic storm arrived.
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The apocalyptic storm tore through the town, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
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Residents evacuated as the forecast predicted an apocalyptic storm that could devastate their homes.
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Survivors described the apocalyptic storm as the most terrifying experience of their lives.
Synonyms
29
5.5
A very large, powerful storm that causes widespread damage or a very serious situation with many problems
19
6.0
A situation in which several bad things happen at the same time and make things much worse
5
3.4
A very strong storm with high winds, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning
1
7.7
A very strong storm that causes great damage and danger
Antonyms
How Catastrophic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'apocalyptic' means pertaining to great destruction or end-of-world scenarios, so when combined with 'storm' the resulting meaning (a catastrophic, devastating storm) is directly derivable from the constituent meanings. This compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
The phrase apocalyptic storm uses apocalyptic, a word from stories about the 'end of the world', and storm, a very strong storm. So it creates the picture of a storm so huge it seems like the world is ending, which is why it means 'extremely destructive'.