rain 1 of 2

noun

ˈrān How to pronounce rain (audio)
Definition of rainnext
1
as in rainfall
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity the rain continued for most of the day

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2
as in hail
a heavy fall of objects the Norman invaders fled when the castle's defenders threw a rain of stones down upon them

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rain

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to pour
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds it started raining early this morning and hasn't let up since

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2
as in to lavish
to give readily and in large quantities she rained praise upon her graduating students the squadron rained bombs on the enemy's fortifications

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rain
Noun
Two to 3 inches of rain are expected in the Charlotte region, the mountains and Upstate South Carolina from Isaias, with higher amounts – 3 or 4 inches – along steep slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, NWS meteorologists said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 Heavy rain with the risk of flooding was possible into the weekend as far inland as the Tennessee Valley. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Many more hurdles rained down in the three decades that followed — music industry changes, family demands, divorces, the pandemic, microphone mishaps, and recently, a management switch. — Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 Boos rained down from Superdome stands, and Saints coach Kellen Moore gestured incredulously with his arms out to his side and palms up when officials, following a video review, upheld the call of a fumble. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rain
  1. rainfall
  2. hail
  3. pour
  4. lavish
  5. storm
  6. barrage
  7. flood
  8. heap
Noun
  • The rainfall showers are glass, lending the feel of an outdoor shower.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • More than 35 million Californians are under heat alerts on Tuesday as a tropical disturbance is expected to continue to bring rainfall to central Florida.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rainfall
Noun
  • Two people were shot to death in a hail of gunfire and nearly three dozen others were injured at a homecoming weekend block party early Sunday morning in southern Georgia, according to state law enforcement officials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The storms Thursday morning may also bring a risk of damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph, as well as small hail and frequent lightning.
    — Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hail
Verb
  • As soon as the first few teaspoons of coffee drip out, pour them into a small stainless steel bell creamer (or small metal bowl) and add the sugar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • That said, Gunn tried to pour cold water on the widespread theory that Adria Arjona will play Wonder Woman in the Superman sequel.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pour
Verb
  • At the same time, some states are also lavishing tax breaks on data centers that some say are both undeserved and ultimately, bad economics.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • When Russians discovered karaoke, thousands of venues sprang up, from cheap sushi joints to lavish establishments where an orchestra and backup singers accompanied anyone willing to step onto the stage and, for a few minutes, feel like a star.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of lavish
Noun
  • Whether windows have been damaged by a recent storm or have simply reached the end of their useful life, a coordinated replacement project can improve comfort, energy efficiency and curb appeal while helping homeowners prepare for future weather.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond the microbes, mudflats, mangrove forests, and salt marshes help protect shorelines from erosion and storm surges.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of storm
Noun
  • The circumstances are objectively potent — but Udofia smothers them in such a barrage of cutesiness and self-conscious signalling that a wall rises between us and the play.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That, on top of a barrage of press from its cast (including, perhaps most notably, bonafide internet boyfriend Jack Innanen) seems to have worked.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrage
Verb
  • Nowhere was that fact clearer than after each concert in the casino where rivers of black Metallica T-shirts flooded the pit.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But suddenly everything will change, and clouds will come in, and in 10 to 15 minutes, rain will start and flood everywhere.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Per Johnson’s worldview, heaping more debt burdens on future taxpayers is a way to redress inequities rather than a necessary tool to maintain the city’s infrastructure.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But the White House heaped the blame for the episode at Barr’s feet, while stopping short of calling for his firing.
    — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of heap

Phrases Containing rain

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raiment
rain
rainbow
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Cite this Entry

“Rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rain. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rain

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