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
That front acted like the West’s mountains, forcing storms to form and dump torrential rain.
—
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Gabriel is one of at least 20 people who died following recent torrential rain and flash flooding hit parts of the southern and midwestern parts of the U.S., which were already heavily waterlogged by a number of severe storms that also spawned tornadoes.
—David Chiu, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Forecasters said Sunday that flooding could persist as torrential rains lingered over many states, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
Saturday included more of the torrential rain and flash flooding that has pounded the central U.S., rapidly swelling waterways and prompting emergencies from Texas to Ohio.
—Obed Lamy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torrential
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.
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Gabriel is one of at least 20 people who died following recent torrential rain and flash flooding hit parts of the southern and midwestern parts of the U.S., which were already heavily waterlogged by a number of severe storms that also spawned tornadoes.
—David Chiu, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Forecasters said Sunday that flooding could persist as torrential rains lingered over many states, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2025
Saturday included more of the torrential rain and flash flooding that has pounded the central U.S., rapidly swelling waterways and prompting emergencies from Texas to Ohio.
—Obed Lamy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torrential
Cite this Entry
“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren-chəl
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share