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
Residents and visitors to the islands should expect flooding downpours that may lead to mudslides and gusty winds that cause power outages and strong surf.
—
Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Dew points have hovered in the mid-60s, a sign of sticky conditions that could fuel downpours.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Thunderstorms of this type can also produce dust storms and intense downpours that lead to flash flooding, forecasters said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The downpours prompted flash flood warnings to be issued across the region.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, two days of downpours stranded thousands of Burning Man attendees in thick mud in the desert.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Huge rainfall has wreaked havoc across much of the northern hemisphere this summer, including floods in central Texas that led to one of the state’s worst natural disasters, as well as record downpours in Mexico City.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Lengthy downpours are expected to cause the Cumberland River to crest at levels that could result in moderate flooding, plus threats of flooding in other areas.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 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
Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Dew points have hovered in the mid-60s, a sign of sticky conditions that could fuel downpours.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Thunderstorms of this type can also produce dust storms and intense downpours that lead to flash flooding, forecasters said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The downpours prompted flash flood warnings to be issued across the region.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2023, two days of downpours stranded thousands of Burning Man attendees in thick mud in the desert.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
Huge rainfall has wreaked havoc across much of the northern hemisphere this summer, including floods in central Texas that led to one of the state’s worst natural disasters, as well as record downpours in Mexico City.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Lengthy downpours are expected to cause the Cumberland River to crest at levels that could result in moderate flooding, plus threats of flooding in other areas.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downpours
Noun
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Heavy rains and thunderstorms caused flooding in much of Broward and Miami-Dade counties Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
His activism was sparked by the devastating floods and rains in Uganda.—
Aniebiet Ntui,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the average Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, sees 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes—categories 3, 4, and 5.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Friday’s widespread storms that served up floods and gridlock to afternoon commuters from the Keys to Coral Gables should begin to taper off as people head back out for a night on the town.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Downpours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downpours. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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