as in rains
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
we ran into a big rainstorm on Highway 6, and the visibility was so poor we had to pull over
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Recent Examples of rainstorms
As heavy rainstorms drenched areas near Indianapolis, residents in parts of southeastern Marion County reported pea-sized hail.
—
Carol Kugler, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Over the past several days, Southern California has been hit with a series of powerful rainstorms that have caused flooding, downed trees and power outages.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Flooding in Independence The sinkhole made its first appearance in July 2025, during a series of heavy rainstorms in the Kansas City metro.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Its water-repellent and windproof fabric holds up to extreme weather, from rainstorms to blizzards.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
But the current 80-degree temperatures in Southern California could turn conservation efforts around, using up some of the water saved during the rainstorms, Mount said.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Given the prevalence of heavy rainstorms as the climate warms, this flood control is becoming ever more essential.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
In November 2025, severe rainstorms revived an ancient lake that once reached depths of 7,000 feet.
—Outside, 15 Jan. 2026
At the same time, a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which is then released in fewer, more extreme rainstorms.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Carol Kugler, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Over the past several days, Southern California has been hit with a series of powerful rainstorms that have caused flooding, downed trees and power outages.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Flooding in Independence The sinkhole made its first appearance in July 2025, during a series of heavy rainstorms in the Kansas City metro.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Its water-repellent and windproof fabric holds up to extreme weather, from rainstorms to blizzards.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
But the current 80-degree temperatures in Southern California could turn conservation efforts around, using up some of the water saved during the rainstorms, Mount said.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Given the prevalence of heavy rainstorms as the climate warms, this flood control is becoming ever more essential.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
In November 2025, severe rainstorms revived an ancient lake that once reached depths of 7,000 feet.
—Outside, 15 Jan. 2026
At the same time, a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which is then released in fewer, more extreme rainstorms.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rainstorms
Noun
-
Floods, landslides in Philippines kill 7 MANILA, Philippines -- Torrential rains set off two landslides that killed seven people and floods that displaced more than 3,000 villagers in the southeastern Philippines, officials said Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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The mayor’s signature program was in Skid Row in Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s district providing assistance to homeless people during the heavy rains this week.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Though both storms are similar — with a major storm system lingering over the region for over a day and whipping the region with merciless hurricane-level winds, driving inch after inch of wet snow — what made the 1978 storm so devastating was the apparent suddenness of its arrival.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
McPhail said Home Depot's business was relatively stable throughout the year, including in the fourth quarter, when adjusting for storms.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rainstorms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rainstorms. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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