How come waves can be taller than tsunamis but they never come close enough to doing as much damage?

Question: How come waves can be taller than tsunamis but they never come close enough to doing as much damage?
- Keywords:
  damage,
  tsunamis,
  waves
Asked by Leeyam Keeynluh to Daniel on 15 Mar 2016.
- Daniel Biggs answered on 15 Mar 2016:
  
  Hi Leeyam, this it not my area of expertise but I believe it ha something to do with the eneregy stored within the wave. A ‘normal’ wave is one that is generated by wind, and so the force of the wind is only pushing the water its in contact with, the surface. The water beneath the wave moves but is not aided by the wind. As the wave grows in height the water below doesnt have the same energy to move forward and eventually the wave topples over.
  
  With a Tsunami, the energy powering the wave is much greater and all the water has the energy to move. Also at the start of the Tsunami there is a lot of water thats displaced.
  
  I hope this helps and I have given you the start of an answer. If you find out that I am wrong, please write back to me.

Question: How come waves can be taller than tsunamis but they never come close enough to doing as much damage?