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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 rainstorms
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
The rainstorms are rolling across the Everglades, but most of the showers are drying out before reaching the metroplex.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Now, with back-to-back rainstorms bearing down on the Bay Area, officials this week are racing to seal the gaping hole and protect the historic Great Lick Refractor telescope beneath it.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
That’s bad news for the program, which is in $22 billion of debt, plus faces rising costs to insure flood prone homes as climate change raises sea levels and intensifies rainstorms.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
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
The rainstorms are rolling across the Everglades, but most of the showers are drying out before reaching the metroplex.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Now, with back-to-back rainstorms bearing down on the Bay Area, officials this week are racing to seal the gaping hole and protect the historic Great Lick Refractor telescope beneath it.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
That’s bad news for the program, which is in $22 billion of debt, plus faces rising costs to insure flood prone homes as climate change raises sea levels and intensifies rainstorms.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rainstorms
Noun
-
Winter cold and rains as well as malnutrition are still killing people in Gaza, despite the ceasefire being in its fourth month.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Officials speculated that heavy rains this winter are producing more death cap mushrooms than normal, particularly in Northern California.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Airport workers were digging out of feet-high snow drifts and de-icing equipment after one of the most powerful winter storms in years, which led to the largest cancellation day for air travel since March 2020 on Sunday.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Organizations recommend checking their websites or contacting them directly before donating items, as storage space and immediate needs can change rapidly during winter storms.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rainstorms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rainstorms. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
