torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl 
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
Examples of torrential in a Sentence
The rain caused torrential flooding.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a similar occurrence last September, torrential rains and a dam collapse in Nigeria’s northeastern Maiduguri caused severe flooding, leaving at least 30 people dead and displacing millions, worsening the humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.
—
Taiwo Adebayo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
The challenge lies in the behavior of this accumulation of water and the Lonza River, which could cause a torrential lava flow if the river overflows onto the deposit.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 May 2025
Journalism thrived on a warm day that dried out the track after torrential rain fell at Pimlico Race Course for much of the past week.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
As torrential rain poured down in Moscow, Ronaldo — who won his first Ballon d’Or that year — missed his penalty (United’s third).
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for torrential
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Taiwo Adebayo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
The challenge lies in the behavior of this accumulation of water and the Lonza River, which could cause a torrential lava flow if the river overflows onto the deposit.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 May 2025
Journalism thrived on a warm day that dried out the track after torrential rain fell at Pimlico Race Course for much of the past week.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
As torrential rain poured down in Moscow, Ronaldo — who won his first Ballon d’Or that year — missed his penalty (United’s third).
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for torrential
Cite this Entry
“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
torrential
adjective
tor·ren·tial
tȯ-ˈren-chəl
tə-
: relating to or resembling a torrent
torrential rains
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