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
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.
On top of torrential monsoon rains over the last few weeks, sources interviewed by CNN suspect that an earthquake may be responsible for shearing off a chunk of glacier, which tumbled into a river valley, displacing Biblical volumes of water. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 The Brigands of Rattlecreek follows a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 Reuters reported that the landfill suffered a similar incident in 2017, when torrential rains caused a mudslide that killed at least eight people. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 That storm dumped torrential rain — more than 3 feet in spots on the windward side of the island — that triggered damaging landslides and flash flooding that cut off small communities, destroyed homes and damaged critical infrastructure. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for torrential

See All Rhymes for torrential

Browse Nearby Words

torrent duck
torrential
torrentially
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torrential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrential. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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
-ˈrench-(ə-)lē How to pronounce torrential (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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