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
Peru has endured heavy rains, landslides, and flooding that has affected hundreds of thousands of people, and the resulting economic disruptions are likely to intensify as the year continues. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Both could feed into the same slow moving cold front, resulting in rain Saturday and Sunday for the Charlotte region, forecasters say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
By then, Carolina led 20-3 and boos were raining down on the Falcons offense on every single series from the home crowd. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026 Last November, the Wolverines came to Mohegan Sun and gave UConn its toughest test before March, raining threes to nearly overcome an early huge Huskies lead. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rain
Noun
  • Bathrooms are open plan, with private rainfall showers and cosmetics by cult Greek cosmetics brand Korres.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Subsequent rainfall turned burn areas into mudslides and filled waterways with runoff.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Two people were shot to death in a hail of gunfire and nearly three dozen others were injured at a homecoming weekend block party early Sunday morning in southern Georgia, according to state law enforcement officials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The atmosphere will support a few stronger storms capable of gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning and brief heavy rainfall, but widespread severe weather is not expected.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • A couple of inches can mean the difference between water staying out of one’s house or pouring in.
    — Brian Tang, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • One point of concern is Texas, where national Republicans have poured well over $100 million into protecting Paxton from Democratic challenger James Talarico.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, some states are also lavishing tax breaks on data centers that some say are both undeserved and ultimately, bad economics.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • When Russians discovered karaoke, thousands of venues sprang up, from cheap sushi joints to lavish establishments where an orchestra and backup singers accompanied anyone willing to step onto the stage and, for a few minutes, feel like a star.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo could still bring torrential rain to parts of Hawaii even as the storm edged away from the state.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • It’s been a busy season for Pacific storms Storm activity in the Pacific has been above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season, according to National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec.
    — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The circumstances are objectively potent — but Udofia smothers them in such a barrage of cutesiness and self-conscious signalling that a wall rises between us and the play.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That, on top of a barrage of press from its cast (including, perhaps most notably, bonafide internet boyfriend Jack Innanen) seems to have worked.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Nowhere was that fact clearer than after each concert in the casino where rivers of black Metallica T-shirts flooded the pit.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But suddenly everything will change, and clouds will come in, and in 10 to 15 minutes, rain will start and flood everywhere.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Per Johnson’s worldview, heaping more debt burdens on future taxpayers is a way to redress inequities rather than a necessary tool to maintain the city’s infrastructure.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But the White House heaped the blame for the episode at Barr’s feet, while stopping short of calling for his firing.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rain. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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