Definition of rainnext
1
as in rainfall
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the rain continued for most of the day

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2
as in hail
a heavy fall of objects the Norman invaders fled when the castle's defenders threw a rain of stones down upon them

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rain

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to pour
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it started raining early this morning and hasn't let up since

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2
as in to lavish
to give readily and in large quantities she rained praise upon her graduating students the squadron rained bombs on the enemy's fortifications

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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 rain
Noun
To validate the new approach, researchers first conducted experiments inside a rain simulator, testing different droplet sizes, rainfall intensities, photovoltaic modules, and sensor placements. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 This is the second school relocation this fall, after heavy rains damaged Meacham Middle School. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
Then, as if all of that wasn't enough, Sens fans started raining down their old Tkachuk jerseys. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian officials complained the earlier disruptions had hampered military capabilities as Russia rained down missiles, plunging 600,000 into darkness overnight. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rain
Noun
  • Florida officials were forced to find alternative polling stations after heavy rainfall triggered dangerous flash flooding along the midsection of Florida.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Record rainfall was also reported in usually dry Arizona, causing deadly flooding and power outages.
    — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Scientists and engineers there build household structures — from decks to sheds to single family homes — and subject them to literal trials by fire, hail, and hurricane force wind.
    — Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Tesla's self-driving ride-hail efforts, however, remain far behind those of industry leader Waymo, as does the safety record of its autonomous vehicles.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The Democratic Party saw the seat as flippable and poured a late infusion of cash into Rodriguez’ campaign coffers.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Meanwhile, government agencies and state funds poured money into Ueno.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Nigella lavishes this chicken with praise, and Paul feels the pressure.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The tech lobby — currently led by ginormous AI companies — has emerged as the largest source of campaign contributions in US history, lavishing tens of millions of dollars on both for Democrats and Republicans alike.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Buckley said the Learjet captain was likely trying to get around or fly above the storm system, exceeding the safe speeds and altitudes of the plane.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The greatest concern is across northwest Texas and farther north into Oklahoma and Kansas, where storms could first develop along an eastward-moving dryline Monday evening.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • This was studied New Zealand, Tasmania and some parts of South America where modelling to be least affected by a nuclear winter and unlikely to suffer direct hits in a nuclear barrage.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The latest Russian aerial barrage underscored the scale of the rebuilding task, as did the ongoing search for people missing beneath rubble after a deadly airstrike in southern Ukraine on Monday.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Storms in late October and early November sent torrents of water through normally small or dry creeks that overflowed their banks and flooded local communities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • For George Young, the sandbags could help prevent a familiar problem — water flooding his garage.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Trump has blamed high global fuel prices on Ukraine, and heaped pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian refineries even as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s towns, cities, and energy infrastructure.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rain. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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