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
Flooding in Independence The sinkhole made its first appearance in July 2025, during a series of heavy rainstorms in the Kansas City metro.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rainstorms
Noun
-
See the valleys wake up and blossom in the spring, watch the rains turn everything green in the summer, enjoy crisp fall weather and changing leaves or play in the snow in the winter.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But those trees remain, and a fresh blanket of leaves and grass has sprouted after recent rains.—
Christine Lennon,
Architectural Digest,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 2020 and 2021, storms hit the Powers’ Yukon home.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With these statistical corrections, researchers can more accurately predict how energy behaves in chaotic environments, such as during the formation of severe storms.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rainstorms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rainstorms. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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