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.
El Niño is likely to exacerbate the impact of torrential rains in neighboring Ghana that have damaged crops and increased the prevalence of the plant-killing black pod disease. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The initial three rounds were not very heavy but saturated the soil and left the area much more prone to dangerous flash flooding once the fourth round of torrential rain moved through. — Trevor Ault, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Hikers and campers near Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch lodging area started running for their lives Saturday as torrential rainfall funneled down the canyon and idyllic creeks morphed into violent torrents. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026 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 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 7 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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