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
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
Severe to exceptional drought conditions were prevalent for much of south-central Texas when the downpours came, making areas more susceptible to flash flooding because the soil could not absorb rainfall as efficiently.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
Light rain began in Southern California Wednesday morning, with heavier downpours expected overnight.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
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.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Severe to exceptional drought conditions were prevalent for much of south-central Texas when the downpours came, making areas more susceptible to flash flooding because the soil could not absorb rainfall as efficiently.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
Light rain began in Southern California Wednesday morning, with heavier downpours expected overnight.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
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.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
After several downpours fueled by tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean, Arizona’s short-term drought has finally eased, at least a little.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for downpours
Noun
-
Arizona's summer storms that come with the monsoon season, coupled with winter rains, create frequent flooding throughout the state that can prove deadly for motorists.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Rome has been soaked by steady rains since before Christmas, and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued an ordinance for Tuesday limiting public access to parks and other areas at risk for falling trees and flooding.—
Mike Corder,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that more than 2,400 potholes have been repaired across the city in the week following a series of powerful winter storms that doused the region with rain over the Christmas and New Year's holidays.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
There’s roughly two and a half months left of the winter season, which means that there are plenty of chilly evenings, snow storms, and freeze warnings to look forward to.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Downpours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/downpours. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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