torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl 
tə-
1
a
: relating to or having the character of a torrent
torrential rains
b
: caused by or resulting from action of rapid streams
torrential gravel
2
: resembling a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow
Examples of torrential in a Sentence
The rain caused torrential flooding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains have damaged homes and destroyed infrastructure.
—
Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Some of our picks are more lightweight and are better for withstanding light rain rather than torrential downpours.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the storm did bring torrential rain to broad sections of southeastern Texas, causing flooding that in some places prompted evacuations and highway closures.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Severe flooding is also a serious threat due to the torrential rain.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The same system brought torrential downpours to California over Easter weekend.
—Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
In April 1922, torrential downpours dumped 11 inches of water in two days; Trinity River levees had 17 breaches that led to 10 deaths.
—Luke Ranker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
But torrential rains inundated much of the city in July 2021, creating scenes of destruction and killing hundreds, including at least 14 in a subway tunnel.
—Richard Schiffman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Chick says torrential rain on Feb. 14 made outdoor dining impossible.
—Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Some of our picks are more lightweight and are better for withstanding light rain rather than torrential downpours.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, the storm did bring torrential rain to broad sections of southeastern Texas, causing flooding that in some places prompted evacuations and highway closures.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2024
Severe flooding is also a serious threat due to the torrential rain.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The same system brought torrential downpours to California over Easter weekend.
—Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
In April 1922, torrential downpours dumped 11 inches of water in two days; Trinity River levees had 17 breaches that led to 10 deaths.
—Luke Ranker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
But torrential rains inundated much of the city in July 2021, creating scenes of destruction and killing hundreds, including at least 14 in a subway tunnel.
—Richard Schiffman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Chick says torrential rain on Feb. 14 made outdoor dining impossible.
—Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torrential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren-chəl
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
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