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
Frank Mnich, a mudlark from Sussex, was standing at the top of a flight of steps down to the river, looking like someone who was there to fix the drains, in cargo pants, rain boots, and kneepads, with pouches fastened around his waist for his finds. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Passing showers and thunderstorms are also possible in Ontario Friday, but that rain won't be enough to put the wildfires out, and the winds may make conditions worse and lightning could spark new wildfires. Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Verb
With the Ball Hogs facing a daunting 26-17 halftime deficit against the Riot, Pargo took over and rained down multiple long-distance buckets to completely turn the game on its head. Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026 They’re exhausted by the time the tournament starts, especially if it’s been raining. Nick Pachelli, Time, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rain
Noun
  • Favorable rainfall trends across major producing nations, including Spain, have paved the way for a solid global yield for the upcoming harvest, Valdés said, consolidating a more robust and balanced global supply.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Recent heavy rainfall and flooding across the region have made the trip even more risky.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • These storms may contain gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours.
    Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 12 July 2026
  • Public anger was more raw as the country grappled with a largely unchecked hail of bombs from the sky.
    Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • But this isn’t because of potential health risks or adverse effects in-flight—cabin crew simply dislike pouring it because of its excessive fizziness.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
  • The loss to the Oilers was the Hawks’ fifth straight, and pouring salt on the wound was the fact Dickinson and Murphy assisted on the last goal against their former team.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • While many soccer fans and media observers have given Fox a mixed report card compared with ESPN, Pitaro lavished praise on his competitor.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Although much attention was lavished on their July 1986 royal wedding, their married life was complicated by scandal.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • Extreme rainfall events like this are becoming more common as planet-warming pollution drives temperatures higher, because warmer air holds more moisture – which storms can then wring out like a water-laden sponge in heavy, localized downpours.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • But the storm resulted in more than 2 million TEUs of vessel capacity waiting at berth in north Asian waters outside the two ports, according to a report from container shipping market research firm Linerlytica.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The defense attorneys argued Harris fired the first shots that killed Payton friend Turner and set off the barrage that led to the deaths of bystanders Martinez, Alexander, and Davis.
    Darrell Smith July 16, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Rocky Graziano scores a technical knockout with a barrage of 30 punches against Tony Zale in the sixth round to win the world middleweight boxing title.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • The final show of Jay-Z's anniversary concert series at Yankee Stadium on Sunday was delayed for hours after hundreds of ticketless fans flooded the gates and breached security, according to officials.
    Christina Fan, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Social media feeds are flooded with highlights and memes of the Norway striker, and fans can’t get enough.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • Their sparkling glass cases were full of heaping cream puffs, vivid cupcakes and caramel colored pastries.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • The attacks have heaped pressure on Russia’s economy, which is already grappling with the worst fuel shortages since the fall of the Soviet Union.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rain. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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