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
Almost every winter, torrential rains compounded by increasingly high tides lead to flooding in La Digue’s main village.
—
Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
More than 100,000 customers are without power in Florida Thursday morning after torrential rain and winds topping 65 mph slammed the state.
—Max Golembo, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Sky News Residents tell us that one family climbed up to the school from their house to stay safe from the torrential rainfall of Storm Daniel.
—Yousra Elbagir, NBC News, 16 Sep. 2023
The storm, named Storm Ciaran by the U.K.’s Met Office, brought high winds and torrential rain to large parts of France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the U.K., Italy and Spain, forcing school closures and disruption to rail and air travel.
—Gareth Vipers, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday.
—Emily M. Eng, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Lucky for us the torrential rains held off until the party ended.
—Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2023
The 5 hurricane categories, explained The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday.
—Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Amid flashing floods caused by torrential downpours plummeting New York City, Sally — a sea lion in the Central Park Zoo in the heart of Manhattan — saw a way out of her enclosure, swimming around to visit a new area of the popular attraction.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2023
See More
Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
More than 100,000 customers are without power in Florida Thursday morning after torrential rain and winds topping 65 mph slammed the state.
—Max Golembo, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Sky News Residents tell us that one family climbed up to the school from their house to stay safe from the torrential rainfall of Storm Daniel.
—Yousra Elbagir, NBC News, 16 Sep. 2023
The storm, named Storm Ciaran by the U.K.’s Met Office, brought high winds and torrential rain to large parts of France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the U.K., Italy and Spain, forcing school closures and disruption to rail and air travel.
—Gareth Vipers, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday.
—Emily M. Eng, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Lucky for us the torrential rains held off until the party ended.
—Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2023
The 5 hurricane categories, explained The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday.
—Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Amid flashing floods caused by torrential downpours plummeting New York City, Sally — a sea lion in the Central Park Zoo in the heart of Manhattan — saw a way out of her enclosure, swimming around to visit a new area of the popular attraction.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Sep. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Articles Related to torrential
Dictionary Entries Near torrential
Cite this Entry
“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren-chəl
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
More from Merriam-Webster on torrential
Nglish: Translation of torrential for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of torrential for Arabic Speakers
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