perfect storm

noun

: a critical or disastrous situation created by a powerful concurrence of factors

Examples of perfect storm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their run has been a perfect storm, a face turn the world never saw coming. Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 17 June 2026 In my own district, constituents are facing a perfect storm. Alex Lee, Mercury News, 19 June 2026 This game is leading up to be a perfect storm where the USA looks very good. ABC News, 29 June 2026 Several trends have come together to create a perfect storm for active travel. Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for perfect storm

Word History

First Known Use

1998, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfect storm was in 1998

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perfect storm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfect%20storm. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!