spate

spate

noun \ˈspāt\

Definition of SPATE

1

: freshet, flood

2

a : a large number or amount <a spate of books on gardening> b : a sudden or strong outburst : rush <a spate of anger>

Examples of SPATE

1. A spate of books on the subject have come out recently.
2. There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.

Origin of SPATE

Middle English

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SPATE

Synonyms: alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, deluge, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, flood, torrent

Antonyms: drought (also drouth)

Related Words: current, river, stream, tide; cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring; flux, inflow, influx; engulfment, washout; avalanche, blizzard; cascade, waterfall; excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus

Near Antonyms: dribble, drip, trickle

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with SPATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, state, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight