Synonyms
Examples of spate in a Sentence
A spate of books on the subject have come out recently.
There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.
Recent Examples on the Web
Then came a torrent of rain over northeastern Libya on Monday, leaving 5,300 dead and thousands still missing after perhaps the most ferocious of a spate of recent floods that have inundated communities in countries from Japan to Greece and the United States.
—
Theodora Yu, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
Other California counties also have seen a spate of recent in-custody deaths.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Crow-Armstrong is the latest in a spate of position players from Southern California drafted in the first round who have ascended to the big leagues.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Masters pointed to a spate of hurricanes since 2017 that have intensified rapidly.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2023
In addition to a spate of new bars and brasseries, the glamorous Casa Cipriani looms just a few minutes drive down South Street.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2023
Also, 43-year old Venus Williams will open against Paula Badosa, who was seeded No. 4 last year but comes in unseeded after a spate of injuries.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023
There have been a spate of coyote attacks recently in Eastern Massachusetts, the Globe has reported.
—Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
But the spate of incidents, including a fall in March and two sudden bouts of momentary paralysis in public, has turned attention to who might follow him.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023
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Theodora Yu, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
Other California counties also have seen a spate of recent in-custody deaths.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Crow-Armstrong is the latest in a spate of position players from Southern California drafted in the first round who have ascended to the big leagues.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Masters pointed to a spate of hurricanes since 2017 that have intensified rapidly.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2023
In addition to a spate of new bars and brasseries, the glamorous Casa Cipriani looms just a few minutes drive down South Street.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2023
Also, 43-year old Venus Williams will open against Paula Badosa, who was seeded No. 4 last year but comes in unseeded after a spate of injuries.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2023
There have been a spate of coyote attacks recently in Eastern Massachusetts, the Globe has reported.
—Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
But the spate of incidents, including a fall in March and two sudden bouts of momentary paralysis in public, has turned attention to who might follow him.
—Carl Hulse, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of spate was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing spate
Dictionary Entries Near spate
Cite this Entry
“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
spate
noun
: a sudden flood or rush
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