1
as in landslide
a large mass especially of snow, ice, dirt, or rocks descending from a high place
Much of the mountainside was covered by the avalanche.
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2
as in influx
a sudden large amount of something that overwhelms
After the disaster, the town received an avalanche of letters and donations from supporters and well-wishers.
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as in to fall
to fall down in a large mass
The snow avalanched down the mountainside.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avalanche
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Beneath the avalanche of losses, Schaeffer is starting to build a team.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021
The distinctive light green of aspen leaves in summer, set off from the deep greens of conifers such as lodgepole pines, frequently marks the zones where winter snow is unstable and tends to avalanche.
—Michael C Grant, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for avalanche
Noun
Coach Nick Sirianni’s club overcame an avalanche of bad, such as right tackle Lane Johnson, the NFL’s best blocker, leaving with a game-ending neck injury after their first drive.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Beneath the avalanche of losses, Schaeffer is starting to build a team.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
And many of those paths, some of which are accessible from the Humphreys Peak trail, will avalanche every year.
—Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021
The distinctive light green of aspen leaves in summer, set off from the deep greens of conifers such as lodgepole pines, frequently marks the zones where winter snow is unstable and tends to avalanche.
—Michael C Grant, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See All Example Sentences for avalanche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avalanche
Noun
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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But the show faced a landslide of criticism on social media after test shots of the leads surfaced last summer.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The rainy season brings an influx of plankton, which draws the Manta Rays to feed in Hanifaru Bay.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of Gaza, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction.—
SAM MEDNICK,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zay Flowers, who finished with a receiving line of 5-for-72, fell a yard short of a long TD on a 56-yard gain.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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City administrator echoes points other municipalities have stated Brown presented a series of slides and data pieces that, among other facts, showed the city has lagged further behind in terms of property revenue increases falling short of 3% inflation on existing services on average.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Life-changing weather events like the 1998 tornadoes, the 2010 flood and 2020 tornadoes.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This year, the event will include more product than ever, surprise rollouts throughout the day, and even a giant tent in the parking lot for overflow.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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According to the department, the new culvert will be able to handle potential overflow during future floods.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Tigers won two of three against the Mariners early in the season, then got swept by Seattle at home and were outscored 35-14 during a July series that marked the start of a horrid slide.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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This figure marks a steep decline from last year’s already historic low of 31%, and continues a nearly five-decade slide from the high of 68% recorded in 1972.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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More than 8,400 houses, some 240 bridges and almost 700 kilometers of roads have been battered or destroyed by the deluge, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
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As the name implies, a climate-resilient garden can handle droughts, deluges, and other weather extremes without lasting damage.—
Mike Irvine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avalanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avalanche. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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