as in floods
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
the dam broke, unleashing a torrent down the dry riverbed
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Recent Examples of torrents
Heavy rainfall in the area caused torrents and increased the risk of landslides, making rescue operations more difficult, state media said.
—
ABC News, 17 May 2026
Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.
—Sarah Brumfield, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The silken charcoal bathrobes are a decadent touch, as are the welcome torrents of piping water that rain from monsoon showers and the wonderful organic soaps.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Even moderate rainfall can quickly transform these waterways into destructive torrents that overflow into nearby townships, including Friendswood and League City.
—Dominic Boyer, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Lightning made the sky as bright as day, the thunder was a continuous crash, and torrents of rain poured down.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 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
ABC News, 17 May 2026
Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.
—Sarah Brumfield, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The silken charcoal bathrobes are a decadent touch, as are the welcome torrents of piping water that rain from monsoon showers and the wonderful organic soaps.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Even moderate rainfall can quickly transform these waterways into destructive torrents that overflow into nearby townships, including Friendswood and League City.
—Dominic Boyer, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Lightning made the sky as bright as day, the thunder was a continuous crash, and torrents of rain poured down.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torrents
floods
Noun
-
Bells are then honored as vital sentinels during floods, crying out that the barricades have given way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The Nile as a source of life The Nile floods at the end of every summer, as rains from the Indian Ocean monsoon fall on the highlands of East Africa.—
Geoff Emberling,
The Conversation,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torrents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torrents. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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