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
Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Asia this time of year, but experts largely agree that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change.
—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
21 Aug. 2025
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
In 2021, flash flooding triggered by a cloudburst killed over 200.
—
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
21 Aug. 2025
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
In 2021, flash flooding triggered by a cloudburst killed over 200.
—
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloudburst
Noun
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When the rain cleared, a rainbow arched above the New York skyline.
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Five to 10 inches of rain are possible from Sunday morning through Wednesday afternoon.
Noun
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Eagle avoided the brunt of the storm as the crew navigated toward open ocean.
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Local Idaho agencies have spent days addressing storm damage caused by a low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska that brought winds over 50 mph, lightning, hail and more than an inch of rain to some areas.
Cite this Entry
“Cloudburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloudburst. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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