as in floods
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
the dam broke, unleashing a torrent down the dry riverbed
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 torrents
According to experts, these homes encroach on a path that has carried torrents of water for centuries during periods of heavy rains.
—
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2017, soaking storms led to flooding that caused $100 million in damage in downtown San Jose and the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people when the spillway at Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest dam, in Butte County, partially collapsed under torrents of water.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Without intervention, water flows off the steep slopes in torrents, rapidly stripping away soil.
—Stephen Acabado, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The report alleges the scrape includes 256 million rows of track metadata and 86 million audio files, to be distributed on P2P networks in bulk torrents totaling roughly 300 terabytes.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues as debris and mudslides have closed highways and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Hundreds of people remain missing – likely washed away in rapid torrents of floodwater or buried beneath thick mud and debris.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
Helene dumped 30 inches of rain in Transylvania County, where the bridge is located, creating torrents of debris that slammed bridges for days.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The death of Banda Amidst the torrents, Arisu follows the sound of Usagi’s voice, as they are both swept towards a watery vortex that leads to the world of the dead.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
In 2017, soaking storms led to flooding that caused $100 million in damage in downtown San Jose and the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people when the spillway at Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest dam, in Butte County, partially collapsed under torrents of water.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Without intervention, water flows off the steep slopes in torrents, rapidly stripping away soil.
—Stephen Acabado, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
The report alleges the scrape includes 256 million rows of track metadata and 86 million audio files, to be distributed on P2P networks in bulk torrents totaling roughly 300 terabytes.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Dec. 2025
Officials have conducted dozens of water rescues as debris and mudslides have closed highways and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Hundreds of people remain missing – likely washed away in rapid torrents of floodwater or buried beneath thick mud and debris.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
Helene dumped 30 inches of rain in Transylvania County, where the bridge is located, creating torrents of debris that slammed bridges for days.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The death of Banda Amidst the torrents, Arisu follows the sound of Usagi’s voice, as they are both swept towards a watery vortex that leads to the world of the dead.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torrents
floods
Noun
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
As more of Kerrville’s four-legged community members were rescued, Kerrville Pets Alive began working alongside search-and-rescue teams to help retrieve animals who had died during the floods.—
Lesdy Hernandez,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torrents. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
