as in rains
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
the downpour was so heavy that we were soaked by the time we got to the car
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Recent Examples of downpours
Houston rain chances are lower Thursday, but a slow-moving storm system could bring a risk of heavy downpours later this weekend.
—
Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
The primary threats will be brief damaging wind gusts, small hail, and heavy downpours.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Damaging winds and heavy downpours also affected the area, including in Tampa and Largo.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
The all-day downpours will carry into Monday and Tuesday.
—Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Heavy downpours could be seen along central Florida and its Gulf Coast on Saturday, including in Tampa and Largo.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 3 May 2026
While widespread flooding is not expected, forecasters say heavier downpours could still cause some water to collect in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, a cold front along the East Coast from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast could produce heavy downpours on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning from Philadelphia to New York City, and up through New England.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Florida is also expected to face more above-average fire activity through at least June, when the summer’s rainy season ramps up to bring relieving downpours.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
The primary threats will be brief damaging wind gusts, small hail, and heavy downpours.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Damaging winds and heavy downpours also affected the area, including in Tampa and Largo.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
The all-day downpours will carry into Monday and Tuesday.
—Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Heavy downpours could be seen along central Florida and its Gulf Coast on Saturday, including in Tampa and Largo.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 3 May 2026
While widespread flooding is not expected, forecasters say heavier downpours could still cause some water to collect in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, a cold front along the East Coast from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast could produce heavy downpours on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning from Philadelphia to New York City, and up through New England.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Florida is also expected to face more above-average fire activity through at least June, when the summer’s rainy season ramps up to bring relieving downpours.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downpours
Noun
-
Both are durable, standing up to the summer heat and rains, often lasting well into late fall or early winter.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
Spring rains also create pockets of moisture, which attract many types of insects.—
Kody Boye,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Cloud cover will increase as the day rolls on, with a late chance for showers or storms.—
Lisa Meadows,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
So that may be kind of the most acute pain point for travelers, but the summer storms are still going to be coming.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downpours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downpours. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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