torrential

adjective

tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce torrential (audio)
tə-
1
a
: relating to or having the character of a torrent
torrential rains
b
: caused by or resulting from action of rapid streams
torrential gravel
2
: resembling a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow
torrentially
tȯ-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē
tə- How to pronounce torrential (audio)
adverb

Examples of torrential in a Sentence

The rain caused torrential flooding.
Recent Examples on the Web
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The storm brought torrential rainfall, historic flooding and destructive winds that damaged thousands of homes, overwhelmed local infrastructure, and left large portions of the state without power for days. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 As of Saturday evening, Memphis, Tennessee, remained under a flash flood emergency as the latest round of torrential rain continues to sweep east across parts of the mid-South Saturday afternoon. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2025 But first, the storm will dump several feet of snow along the Sierra Nevada and bring torrential rain to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025 The worst of the severe thunderstorm, tornado, flash flood threat will be through the evening hours as a line of strong thunderstorms with torrential rain continues to sweep across parts of the South. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torrential

Word History

Etymology

torrent entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of torrential was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

torrential

adjective
tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce torrential (audio)
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
torrentially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on torrential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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