rains 1 of 2

plural of rain
1
as in storms
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the rain continued for most of the day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in barrages
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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rains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rain
1
as in pours
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in showers
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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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 rains
Noun
Heavy rains and thunderstorms caused flooding in much of Broward and Miami-Dade counties Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 His activism was sparked by the devastating floods and rains in Uganda. Aniebiet Ntui, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Provide the Right Amount of Moisture A summer of scorching temperatures and, perhaps, torrential rains is hard on many plants. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025 The National Weather Service in Nashville said the region is at a slight risk, a two on the five-step scale, for damaging winds, isolated large hail, heavy rains, frequent lightning and a possible tornado. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025 Depending on the location of Kiko, flooding rains are also possible, especially in higher terrain. Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 Plentiful winter and spring rains and moderately cool evening temperatures resulted in a bounty of apple blossoms. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The rains along Baja California Sur could lead to flash flooding, especially in the mountains. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025 Southern Region Heavy rains, or none at all, are normal in this month of change. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
It is hurt, evident by the acid blood that rains down, but the Xenomorph is not dead. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rains
Noun
  • According to the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the average Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, sees 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes—categories 3, 4, and 5.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Friday’s widespread storms that served up floods and gridlock to afternoon commuters from the Keys to Coral Gables should begin to taper off as people head back out for a night on the town.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At that time, Saudi Arabia was still mired in the destructive war in Yemen, with the Houthis frequently targeting Saudi cities and energy infrastructure with increasingly lethal barrages of explosive drones and ballistic missiles.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Russia's latest attack was its largest since July 12, according to data published by Ukraine's air force and analyzed by ABC News, and breaks with the trend so far in August of smaller-scale nightly barrages when compared to figures from June and July.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And Josh, who pours his guilt into a publicity campaign to try and find his missing son.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Enthusiasm builds on announcement day, shares trade up, and money pours in.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During years of drought, when the water level dropped, trees grew in the lake bed, but when water returned following heavy rainfalls, the trees lost their leaves and were just bare trunks and branches.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Forecasters said the wave continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms, and that environmental conditions are conducive for gradual development of this system during the next several days.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • For the next six hours, both gentle showers and torrential thunderstorms rained down, dropping about an inch of rain on Manchester, according to the National Weather Service.
    Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bright sunlight floods the sensors with background noise, surface reflections distort the signal, and long-distance measurements require higher stability than short-range indoor use.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Rainwater floods their tents and officers go cell-to-cell pressuring detainees to sign voluntary removal orders before they’re allowed to consult their attorneys.
    Kate Payne, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Summer also brings on rainstorms with lightning and flash flooding.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Scientists across the globe agree that nations need to rapidly embrace renewable energy to stave off the worst effects of climate change, including extreme heat and drought; larger, more intense wildfires and supercharged hurricanes, typhoons and rainstorms that lead to catastrophic flooding.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.
    AZCentral.com, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The valley floor hums with cowbells and the distant whir of paragliders circling above alpine meadows—as Trümmelbach’s glacial torrents roar through limestone caverns.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Rains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rains. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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