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
The rain is resulting from a slow-moving low-pressure system over the region, which repeatedly draws in moisture, causing intense downpours, per The Guardian.
—
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
In both settings, rain comes down in short, intense downpours.
—Stephen Acabado, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
And the world continued to grapple with extreme weather, from droughts to downpours.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Swings between heavy downpours and prolonged droughts will be the new normal.
—Bob Maliva, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Meteorologists are monitoring at least two new storms expected to soak the region in early January, drawing fresh concerns after dayslong downpours caused flooding and mudslides in recent weeks.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
That section of the river rose rapidly on New Year’s Day when a huge Pacific storm produced torrential downpours across San Diego County, causing widespread flooding.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
That storm could bring isolated thunderstorms with brief heavy downpours and hail, as well as snow levels down to 5,000 feet, according to the weather service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Light rain began in Southern California Wednesday morning, with heavier downpours expected overnight.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
In both settings, rain comes down in short, intense downpours.
—Stephen Acabado, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
And the world continued to grapple with extreme weather, from droughts to downpours.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Swings between heavy downpours and prolonged droughts will be the new normal.
—Bob Maliva, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Meteorologists are monitoring at least two new storms expected to soak the region in early January, drawing fresh concerns after dayslong downpours caused flooding and mudslides in recent weeks.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
That section of the river rose rapidly on New Year’s Day when a huge Pacific storm produced torrential downpours across San Diego County, causing widespread flooding.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
That storm could bring isolated thunderstorms with brief heavy downpours and hail, as well as snow levels down to 5,000 feet, according to the weather service.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Light rain began in Southern California Wednesday morning, with heavier downpours expected overnight.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downpours
Noun
-
But the recent rains do mean that soils remain wet, which can leave trees more vulnerable to high winds and hillsides more vulnerable to rockfalls and slides.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The hotter temperatures are sparking changes in precipitation—rainier rains and drier droughts.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Fox notes winter is usually the slowest time of the year — except when there are storms.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Southern states like Alabama and New Mexico already caught glimpses earlier this week, proving that stronger storms can defy expectations.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downpours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downpours. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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