as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity
the weatherman warned of possible cloudbursts in the afternoon
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Recent Examples of cloudburst
Warmer air soaks up water like a sponge, and all this extra moisture can result in extreme rain and sudden downpours like cloudbursts, especially when that air meets the mountains.
—
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.
—Muhammad Sajjad, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
The flash flooding was caused by a rare weather event called a cloudburst, a sudden, heavy downpour where an unusually large amount of rain falls in a short period of time, according to Indian weather officials.
—ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025
The flood began in the early afternoon after a cloudburst caused the Kheerganga river to swell, leading muddy water to inundate the village in Uttarkashi district and surrounding areas, according to the BBC.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Such cloudbursts are increasingly common in India’s Himalayan regions and Pakistan’s northern areas, and experts have said climate change is a contributing factor.
—Muhammad Sajjad, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
The flash flooding was caused by a rare weather event called a cloudburst, a sudden, heavy downpour where an unusually large amount of rain falls in a short period of time, according to Indian weather officials.
—ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025
The flood began in the early afternoon after a cloudburst caused the Kheerganga river to swell, leading muddy water to inundate the village in Uttarkashi district and surrounding areas, according to the BBC.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloudburst
Noun
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If left out, they can get weathered and moldy from the rain and become home to bugs or allergens.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
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Why this matters for safety and cost Inadequately maintained roads and drainage systems become dangerous during heavy rain, extreme heat, or winter weather.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Lake Baikal, often described as an inland sea because of its enormous size, is notorious for sudden storms and icy conditions even during tourist season, according to National Geographic.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
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This flooding becomes even worse if accompanied by heavy rain or direct storm surge.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cloudburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloudburst. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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