as in rains
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
the weatherman warned of possible cloudbursts in the afternoon
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Recent Examples of cloudbursts
The whole experience tasted of the sea and the end of summer, punctuated by soft little cloudbursts on the palate.
—
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Asia this time of year, but experts largely agree that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Warmer air soaks up water like a sponge, and all this extra moisture can result in extreme rain and sudden downpours like cloudbursts, especially when that air meets the mountains.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.
—Muhammad Sajjad, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Uttarakhand, the mountainous northern state that hosts Dharali, has been devastated by cloudbursts before.
—ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Asia this time of year, but experts largely agree that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Warmer air soaks up water like a sponge, and all this extra moisture can result in extreme rain and sudden downpours like cloudbursts, especially when that air meets the mountains.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.
—Muhammad Sajjad, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Uttarakhand, the mountainous northern state that hosts Dharali, has been devastated by cloudbursts before.
—ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloudbursts
Noun
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Winter cold and rains as well as malnutrition are still killing people in Gaza, despite the ceasefire being in its fourth month.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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Officials speculated that heavy rains this winter are producing more death cap mushrooms than normal, particularly in Northern California.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Airport workers were digging out of feet-high snow drifts and de-icing equipment after one of the most powerful winter storms in years, which led to the largest cancellation day for air travel since March 2020 on Sunday.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Organizations recommend checking their websites or contacting them directly before donating items, as storage space and immediate needs can change rapidly during winter storms.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cloudbursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloudbursts. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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