Sturm und Drang

[ shtoorm oont drahng ]

noun

1. a style or movement of German literature of the latter half of the 18th century: characterized chiefly by impetuosity of manner, exaltation of individual sensibility and intuitive perception, opposition to established forms of society and thought, and extreme nationalism.
2. tumult; turmoil; upheaval.

Sturm und Drang

/ ˈʃtʊrm ʊnt ˈdraŋ /

noun

1. a German literary movement of the latter half of the 18th century, characterized by a reaction against rationalism

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sturm und Drang¹

< German: literally, storm and stress

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sturm und Drang¹

literally: storm and stress, from the title of a play by F. M. von Klinger (1752–1831), German dramatist

Example Sentences

Oddly, amid all the Sturm und Drang occasioned by the governor’s infrastructure package, Newsom has refrained from using his regulatory authority over CEQA.

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s circle back to the Sturm und Drang about whole milk making kids gain weight — a main reason behind long-standing recommendations that children stop drinking whole milk at age 2.

From Seattle Times

Last week, Biden sparked a round of diplomatic Sturm und Drang from Beijing after calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator” at a fundraiser — just hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Xi as part of a bid to thaw tensions.

From Seattle Times

Instead, they hope the electorate appreciates a leader who ignores the Sturm und Drang to focus on matters like the economy, health care and national security.

From New York Times

So has all the Sturm und Drang been a big hullaballoo over nothing?

From Slate