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 downpours prompted flash flood warnings for parts of Maui and the Big Island.
—
Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Although most of the rain will be off and on throughout Wednesday and Thursday, quick heavy downpours could drop more than an inch of rain in some spots, causing localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
For years, climate scientists have said that warming would bring heavier downpours.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That is likely to mean light rain through much of the region before the weekend, and heavier downpours in isolated areas, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Severe weather outlook on Saturday KDKA Weather Center Damaging winds will be the biggest threat, but there will also be heavy downpours and frequent thunder and lightning, which may wake you up Sunday morning.
—Mary Ours, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The cancellation of the first Oklahoma show comes as extreme storms are predicted to descend upon the Tulsa area with dangerous winds and heavy downpours.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2026
Both storms—one from March 10 to 16 and the second from March 19 to 23—were classified as kona low storms, a seasonal weather pattern that can bring sudden shifts, including heavy downpours, flash floods, intense winds, and thunderstorms.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Strong to severe thunderstorms could slam the Kansas City area twice in the coming days, bringing damaging winds, torrential downpours, and a chance of isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Although most of the rain will be off and on throughout Wednesday and Thursday, quick heavy downpours could drop more than an inch of rain in some spots, causing localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
For years, climate scientists have said that warming would bring heavier downpours.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
That is likely to mean light rain through much of the region before the weekend, and heavier downpours in isolated areas, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Severe weather outlook on Saturday KDKA Weather Center Damaging winds will be the biggest threat, but there will also be heavy downpours and frequent thunder and lightning, which may wake you up Sunday morning.
—Mary Ours, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The cancellation of the first Oklahoma show comes as extreme storms are predicted to descend upon the Tulsa area with dangerous winds and heavy downpours.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2026
Both storms—one from March 10 to 16 and the second from March 19 to 23—were classified as kona low storms, a seasonal weather pattern that can bring sudden shifts, including heavy downpours, flash floods, intense winds, and thunderstorms.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Strong to severe thunderstorms could slam the Kansas City area twice in the coming days, bringing damaging winds, torrential downpours, and a chance of isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downpours
Noun
-
Extreme weather conditions like higher temperatures and torrential rains caused poor crop yields three years in a row.—
Isaac Tellechea,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Heavy rains over the last several days, which have led to deadly floods in many parts of Afghanistan, had left the ground sodden and soft.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As for where the strongest storms will be, Hinton said forecast models point to closer to the coastline.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Their frames carry the weight of storms, salt air and centuries.—
Reginald David,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downpours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downpours. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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