1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

monsoon

noun

Definition of monsoonnext
as in downpour

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of monsoon The ceremony came amid heavier-than-usual monsoon rainfall in the province, which is located on the island of Luzon. — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Thanks to monsoon rains in late July and early August, there was plenty. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2026 In this part of the world, a classic El Niño means warmer than usual air temperatures in the summer following its peak, as well as a drier monsoon season, Thirumalai says. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026 The monsoon season can be a particularly dangerous time in mountain canyons in Utah and the Southwest. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monsoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monsoon
  1. downpour
  2. deluge
  3. storm
  4. cloudburst
Noun
  • Torrential downpours could bring 2-4 inches of rain in a very short period with some areas potentially getting 5 inches, forecasters said.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Slow-moving heavy downpours have been ongoing in McDowell County since very early Monday morning, and heavy rain now has begun in northwest Rutherford County.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of downpour
Noun
  • Amid the deluge of information was one quick mention, in about Hour 4, of a donkey.
    — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On my return trek, the sky began to boil with thunderheads and, moments later, a deluge.
    — Robert Klose, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of deluge
Noun
  • Gen storms downstairs after finding out that Luke sent Joy flowers, and Aesha follows.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Tonight in Los Angeles, Hollywood is buzzing ahead of the biggest night in television, as stars of the small screen storm the Emmys.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of storm
Noun
  • Another cloudburst is already forming somewhere over the horizon.
    — Ravi S. Bhalla, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, cloudbursts, floods and landslides caused significant loss of life and property across India.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of cloudburst

Browse Nearby Words

monsignors
monsoon
monsoons
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monsoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monsoon. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on monsoon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monsoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quorum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All