raining

Definition of rainingnext
present participle of rain
1
as in pouring
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 raining News reports simply don’t do justice to the level of chaos and disruption and trauma the federal government is raining down upon our communities. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026 News reports simply don't do justice to the level of chaos and disruption and trauma the federal government is raining down upon our communities. Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026 None of the referees appeared to be struck by the objects being thrown on the court, despite video showing a windfall of debris raining down from the angry crowd. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 This spot has been rumored to be a far safer zone where society is attempting to rebuild without the lethal radioactive clouds and barrage of cometary fragments still raining down upon the Earth. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026 So don’t even think about raining on my parade. Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026 The first meteor shower of 2026 is known for its bright fireballs and bolides—large meteors that explode in the atmosphere in dramatic fashion, sometimes raining meteorites onto Earth below. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2026 Despite bombs raining down and a lack of tools, feed and medicine, the shelter has remained operational throughout the two-year conflict, working to help emaciated and injured dogs, cats, donkeys and horses. Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025 That was essentially the difference between a Scotiabank Arena crowd raining boos down on the Maple Leafs for their performance against the Chicago Blackhawks, and that same crowd roaring back to life. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raining
Verb
  • Video from the fire department showed crews pouring water on the house fire at 110th and State on Tuesday morning.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Across industries, executives are pouring unprecedented capital into data platforms, analytics, and artificial intelligence.
    Katerin Le Folcalvez, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Really storming winds were coming, and during the whole shooting, this stormy wind never stops.
    Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the Bills have won three straight road games, pummeling the Pittsburgh Steelers, storming back to beat the New England Patriots and holding on against the Cleveland Browns.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trump opened the session with a lengthy spiel suggesting that the spigots of Venezuelan oil would soon be open, flooding the market with cheap petroleum for the benefit of American taxpayers, Venezuelan citizens and big oil companies.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • For some, the helicopters flying overhead and protesters flooding the streets this week felt hauntingly familiar.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Raining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raining. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on raining

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!