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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The heavy rains had killed 16 people in the state of Hidalgo, north of Mexico City, and cut off power to 150 communities, Mexico’s National Coordination of Civil Protection reported Saturday.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Floodwaters threatened hundreds of homes in southwestern Colorado over the weekend as heavy rains caused rivers and creeks in multiple counties to overflow.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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It’s not been a particularly active fall so far, but the return of severe thunderstorms is a reminder this season, and occasionally winter, can have a similar clash of the weather ingredients that generate spring’s powerful storms.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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Friday will begin sunny and warm for the Kansas City area before a chance of showers and storms in the evening, according to the National Weather Service.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloudbursts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloudbursts. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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