torrential

adjective tor·ren·tial \ tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl , tə- \

Updated on: 27 May 2018

Definition of torrential

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

—

torrentially

play \tȯ-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē, tə-\ adverb

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Examples of torrential in a Sentence

The rain caused torrential flooding.

Recent Examples of torrential from the Web

Florida’s governor has directed state authorities to prepare flood response resources to help residents in the event of torrential rains.

— jennifer kay, BostonGlobe.com, "US forecasters expect 10-16 tropical storms in active season," 24 May 2018
Things only get worse, as torrential rain that's been in the backgroundcauses a massive flood in the Conner basement.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "'Roseanne' season finale recap: State of emergency," 22 May 2018
The cleanup is underway throughout the Northeast a day after powerful storms pounded the region with torrential rain and marble-sized hail, leaving at least two people dead and hundreds of thousands of customers without power.

— Time, "11-Year-Old Girl Killed in Powerful Northeast Thunderstorm," 16 May 2018
The torrential rain and destructive winds hit Newburgh—located about 70 miles north of New York City—especially hard, knocking out power and collapsing structures around the city.

— stephen sorace, Fox News, "11-year-old girl helping her mom killed when tree falls onto car during Northeast storm," 16 May 2018
Severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours are expected in Mecklenburg County and many of its neighboring counties, especially in Western North Carolina.

— jane wester, charlotteobserver, "Weather now: Charlotte area under tornado, flash flood watches with downpours coming | Charlotte Observer," 15 Apr. 2018
The United Nations UNOCHA disaster agency said 580,000 people had been affected by torrential rain and flooding in neighboring Somalia, while the Somali region of eastern Ethiopia had also taken a hammering, with 160,000 people affected.

— thomas mukoya, Anchorage Daily News, "Dam on Kenyan flower farm bursts, killing scores," 10 May 2018
Severe storms are expected to move into the Kansas City area Wednesday evening, bringing the chance of large hail, damaging winds, torrential rains and flash flooding.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "KC could see hail, winds, flooding from severe storms; tornadoes can't be ruled out | The Kansas City Star," 2 May 2018
Nine of the teenagers’ bodies were recovered, officials said, after torrential rains swept over an area that is usually arid and dry.

— ruth eglash, Washington Post, "10 teenagers swept away by flash flood in Israel’s desert," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'torrential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of torrential

1849

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

TORRENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

torrential

adjective

Definition of torrential for English Language Learners

: coming in a large, fast stream

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See words that rhyme with torrential Spanish Central: Translation of torrential Nglish: Translation of torrential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of torrential for Arabic speakers

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torrential

Definition of torrential

torrentially

Examples of torrential in a Sentence

Recent Examples of torrential from the Web

First Known Use of torrential

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torrential

Definition of torrential for English Language Learners

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torrential

Definition of torrential

torrentially

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torrential

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