Does a character in your story go missing near a river? Are you writing the setting of this incident? You can use the following 10 words to describe a fast-flowing river in your writing.
1. Aggressive
Definition
- Showing anger or being hostile to others.
- Strong and forceful.
Examples
“The river was usually a friend to him, with its gentle currents caressing his feet as he sat on its banks. Today, the fast and aggressive pace of the water threatened to drag his entire body away.”
“The water in the rivers was flowing at an aggressive rate, making fording it on horseback impossible.”
How it Adds Description
Often, the faster water in a river flows, the more dangerous it can be. This can give it the appearance of being “aggressive” towards things in your story both living and inanimate, and also shows how merciless Mother Nature can be!
2. Cascade
Definition
- Falling or flowing quickly and in large quantities.
- A small, steep waterfall.
Examples
“The small stream soon turned into a cascade of water which rolled down the mountainside to the lake below.”
“Soon, the rapids would give way to a cascade, and he hoped the rest of the people on the raft were ready for it.”
How it Adds Description
“Cascade” can help you to describe the river in your writing in two ways. Not only can it show how rapidly the water is flowing, but if there are any drops or waterfalls, it also helps you to describe them and the way that the water flows down them too! A “cascade” also has a large amount of water behind it, helping you to illustrate the scope of the river for your reader.
3. Crashing
Definition
Creating loud noise by falling, colliding with things, or breaking.
Examples
“The crashing current of the river swept through the flimsy mass of twigs and leaves as if it was nothing.”
“Before they even reached the water’s edge, they could hear the crashing of the river as it surged into the boulders within it.”
How it Adds Description
When a river flows fast, it can make a lot of noise! Often, this comes from it connecting with various things within it, such as rocks, or from tumbling down slight inclines. A great way to describe it is “crashing”, which can also help you to show how powerful the water is as it slams into everything in its path.
4. Deluge
Definition
- A large amount of rain or water.
- A large amount of something to the point where it becomes unmanageable.
Examples
“The recent storms had turned the usually calm river into a swirling deluge.”
“As the raft made its way down the river, the sheer force of the current was sending a deluge into the vessel, threatening to sink it.”
How it Adds Description
“Deluge” helps you to be able to describe the sheer scale of the water that is flowing through your river and also shows how quickly it is flowing, and how much of it there is making it difficult for your characters to be able to handle!
5. Driving
Definition
Strong and powerful.
Examples
“The driving force of the river meant they made it downstream in a matter of hours; if they had chosen to go through the jungle it would have taken them days.”
“The river’s driving currents pushed at him seemingly from every angle, making it hard for him to keep his head above the water even with his life vest on.”
How it Adds Description
The word “driving” not only implies the speed of your river, but also its power. Often, things that are “driving” are almost unstoppable, and can help to show how your characters need to fight against nature to achieve their goals.
6. Gurgling
Definition
Flowing quickly while making a pleasing sound.
Examples
“From the balcony, she could hear the gentle gurgling of the river below.”
“The gurgling flow of the river gave way to a thunderous waterfall.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes when a river flows quickly, it creates bubbling sounds which many can find to be quite soothing. If the river in your writing brings calm, try describing it as “gurgling”!
7. Surge
Definition
- Moving quickly and powerfully.
- Suddenly increasing in intensity.
Examples
“The water quickly became a surge that was so powerful that it created a bubbling foam on its surface.”
“The fear was that if the weather got any worse, the wind and rain would force the river to surge out of control, putting lives in danger.”
How it Adds Description
“Surge” is twofold in how it can add a description to your writing. It can not only help you to show the speed and power of your river but also how unpredictable it may be to catch your characters and reader off guard.
8. Torrent
Definition
- A large amount of quick-moving water.
- A sudden large and uncontrolled amount of something.
Examples
“As they traveled along its banks, the calm stream soon morphed into the torrent of a mighty river.”
“The river unleashed a torrent of water with such force that the last remaining supports of the bridge crumbled, cutting the village off from the outside world.”
How it Adds Description
If your river is particularly large, or has seen a sudden increase, such as after a storm, try describing it as a “torrent”. This word also gives the impression that the river is an unstoppable force.
9. Turbid
Definition
Water that is not clear thanks to the presence of small particles within it.
Examples
“Where the water of the river had been flowing so rapidly, it had kicked up the clay-rich silt of the riverbed giving it the turbid appearance of molten copper.”
“Turbid waters are great for white water rafting: you want to be sure that the rapids are strong enough to have created a foam.”
How it Adds Description
When water, such as that in a river, flows quickly, it often picks up small items in its path. Often, this then serves to muddy it, leaving it to be a muddy mess rather than crystal clear! Add an extra layer of description to your river by describing it as “turbid”.
10. Unrelenting
Definition
- Determined.
- Not weakening or ending.
Examples
“The force of the river was unrelenting; it would be impossible to swim upstream.”
“The Amazon is an unrelenting challenge for those not accustomed to its vast scope and varying currents.”
How it Adds Description
Often, once a river starts to flow quickly, there is no stopping it in its path towards the sea. Try using “unrelenting” to describe the constant nature and force of the river in your writing.