_tempest_ is a
_storm_ of extreme violence, always attended with some precipitation, as
of rain, from the atmosphere. In the moral and figurative use, _storm_
and _tempest_ are not closely discriminated, except that _tempest_
commonly implies greater intensity. We speak of _agitation_ of feeling,
_disturbance_ of mind, a _storm_ of passion, a _tempest_ of rage.

Antonyms:

calm, fair weather, hush, peace, serenity, stillness, tranquillity.

* * * * *

STORY.

Synonyms:

account, legend, narrative, recital, relation,
anecdote, myth, novel, record, tale.
incident, narration,

A _story_ is the telling of some series of connected incidents or
events, whether real or fictitious, in prose or verse, orally or in
writing; or the series of incidents or events thus related may be termed
a _story_. In children's talk, a _story_ is a common euphemism for a
falsehood. _Tale_ is nearly synonymous with _story_, but is somewhat
archaic; it is used for an imaginative, legendary, or fictitious
_recital_, especially if of ancient date; as, a fairy _tale_; also, for
an idle or malicious report; as, do not tell _tales_; "where there is no
_tale_-bearer, the strife ceaseth." _Prov._ xxvi, 20. An _anecdote_
tells briefly some _incident_, assumed to be fact. If it passes close
limits of brevity, it ceases to be an _anecdote_, and becomes a
_narrative_ or _narration_. A traditional or mythical _story_ of ancient
times is a _legend_. A history is often somewhat poetically called a
_story_; as, the _story_ of the American civil war. Compare ALLEGORY;
FICTION; HISTORY.

Antonyms:

annals, biography, chronicle, history, memoir.

* * * * *

STUPIDITY.

Synonyms:

apathy, insensibility, slowness, stupefaction,
dulness, obtuseness, sluggishness, stupor.

_Stupidity_ is sometimes loosely used for temporary _dulness_ or partial
_stupor_, but chiefly for innate and chronic _dulness_ and
_sluggishness_ of mental action, _obtuseness_ of apprehension, etc.
_Apathy_ may be temporary, and be dispelled by appeal to the feelings or
by the presentation of an adequate motive, but _stupidity_ is inveterate
and commonly incurable. Compare APATHY; IDIOCY; STUPOR.

Antonyms:

acuteness, brilliancy, keenness, sagacity,
alertness, cleverness, quickness, sense,
animation, intelligence, readiness, sensibil