gales

Howling air currents

Gales is the plural of gale—a very strong wind, typically between 32 and 63 miles per hour on the Beaufort scale.

Storms at sea produce gales that threaten ships: The fishing boats returned to harbor ahead of the gales.

Figuratively, gales describes sudden bursts of emotion or sound: gales of laughter, gales of applause.

windstorm

storm

Severe atmospheric disturbance

typhoon · cyclone · blizzard · nor'easter · gust · blast · blow · windstorm · whirlwind · tornado

laughter

roaring

Making prolonged loud noise

uproarious · hilarity · cackling · howling · shrieking · convulsive · uncontrollable · infectious · boisterous · raucous

force

violent

Involving physical force

howling · raging · roaring · blustering · gusting · relentless · battering · driving · sustained · severe

nautical

sailing

Wind-propelled water travel

sails · mast · vessel · ship · knots · Beaufort · offshore · headwind · lee · windward

Categories
Opposites
wind intensity

galescalm

Free from agitation

stillness · breezes · gentle breeze · zephyrs · wafts

atmospheric conditions

galesdead calm

Complete absence of wind

still air · windlessness · doldrums · tranquility · placidity

Phrases
Family

gale

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G