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Glite Dictionary
supertwister

supertwister

9.6
A very powerful tornado that can cause extreme damage
  • noun
  • /ˈsuːpərˌtwɪstər/
  • US
translation icon : supertormenta
  • The supertwister destroyed several homes in minutes.

Examples

  • Meteorologists studied the path of the supertwister that swept through the Midwest.

  • Local officials issued warnings as conditions became favorable for a possible supertwister formation.

  • Supertwisters are fortunately rare, but their impact can be catastrophic when they do occur.

  • Have you ever seen a supertwister in action?

  • Supertwisters can level entire neighborhoods, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

  • The supertwister touched down unexpectedly, causing widespread panic among residents.

  • Survivors of the supertwister recounted the terrifying experience of watching their homes disappear.

Synonyms

tornado
vssupertwister
221 3.7

A violent rotating column of air that touches the ground and damages things

is an exceptionally powerful form that causes extremely severe damage

How Strong

supertwister
  • US
9.6
tornado
221 3.7
whirlwind
9 4.0
dust devil
3 6.3

Surface Forms

supertwister singular
supertwisters plural

Morphology

supertwister = twister (transparent) = super + twister

The meaning is a straightforward intensification: 'super' (very/exceptional) + 'twister' (tornado), which learners can readily interpret.

Etymology

The word supertwister is made of super- ('very' or 'above') and twister, which comes from twist meaning 'to turn quickly'. So a supertwister is like a tornado that turns with extra power, which explains why it means an exceptionally powerful tornado.