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
The teak build can withstand rainstorms and wine spills, while the acrylic cushions can be wiped clean.
—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
This means the El Niño will increase the risks of costly extreme weather events such as tornadoes, winter storms and back-to-back rainstorms that lead to flooding and landslides.
—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The potential for exposure to raw sewage makes rivers in the ALCOSAN service area unswimmable for at least 48 hours after rainstorms.
—
Daniel Bain,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
There’s a chance an El Niño could bring big rainstorms as seen in 1982-83 and 1997-98, which while adding troubles could also wash sediment down creeks and onto beaches to resupply the sand levels and build beaches back up, said Sanders, the UCI professor.
—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
This corner of Ealing, a borough in West London, used to flood regularly during heavy rainstorms, with water sweeping into local streets and inundating the nearby Greenford tube station, part of the London Underground.
—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
But any below-grade basement is constantly in contact with damp soil, and leaks and flooding are very common during summer rainstorms.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
In other words, they are designed under the assumption that rainstorms like the one this week are just like rainstorms in 1970.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Summer also brings on rainstorms with lightning and flash flooding.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 July 2026
This means the El Niño will increase the risks of costly extreme weather events such as tornadoes, winter storms and back-to-back rainstorms that lead to flooding and landslides.
—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The potential for exposure to raw sewage makes rivers in the ALCOSAN service area unswimmable for at least 48 hours after rainstorms.
—
Daniel Bain,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
There’s a chance an El Niño could bring big rainstorms as seen in 1982-83 and 1997-98, which while adding troubles could also wash sediment down creeks and onto beaches to resupply the sand levels and build beaches back up, said Sanders, the UCI professor.
—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
This corner of Ealing, a borough in West London, used to flood regularly during heavy rainstorms, with water sweeping into local streets and inundating the nearby Greenford tube station, part of the London Underground.
—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
But any below-grade basement is constantly in contact with damp soil, and leaks and flooding are very common during summer rainstorms.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
In other words, they are designed under the assumption that rainstorms like the one this week are just like rainstorms in 1970.
—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Summer also brings on rainstorms with lightning and flash flooding.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rainstorms
Noun
-
Steve Hubble, Boise’s climate action senior manager, said the tough winter has been somewhat balanced by rains throughout the spring and summer.
-
Local media reported at least nine of the dead were trapped under the rubble in the same area in the Mossikro neighborhood following the rains that started on Saturday.
Noun
-
While rain coverage is expected to remain limited, any storms that develop could produce gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall.
-
While most areas will remain dry through the end of this week, there is a chance for weakening showers and storms over far northwestern Missouri each evening, the weather service said.
Cite this Entry
“Rainstorms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rainstorms. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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