1
as in landslides
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 influxes
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 tumbles
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 avalanches
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avalanches
Noun
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During 2021-23, when there were record influxes of immigrants, the United States also had record low unemployment.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
21 Aug. 2025
-
There’s a sense in the industry that the chart rankings are swayed by sudden influxes of subscribers rather than total audience.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles into the Atlantic below—its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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At only 20 feet high, Abrams Falls’ stature isn’t its most impressive quality; however, the sheer force of water that tumbles down it is an experience to enjoy with several senses—certainly sight, but also sound and feel too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At a hearing in late July, the Texas House and Senate Committees heard that 137 people had died as a result of the floods, with two people still missing.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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After spending months in a FEMA trailer following devastating floods last winter, Caudill moved into a low-income apartment in a hollow outside of town with his partner, Cassie Collins, 31, a waitress who is recovering from substance abuse.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since 1995, the sewerage district has invested more than $580 million in green infrastructure and flood management projects to improve the landscape's ability to hold onto water, minimizing overflows.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Wetlands protect homes, reduce sewer overflows and safeguard lives.—
Howard Learner,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Blizzard Beach offers frosty thrills like Summit Plummet—one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall slides—and pint-sized fun at Tike’s Peak.—
Martie Bowser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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While some onboard come with a fee, passengers can attend stage, ice and aqua shows; plunge down slides at the Category 6 waterpark; test their balance on the FlowRider surf simulator; scale a rock climbing wall; cool off in seven pools; play mini golf and more at no additional cost.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.—
AZCentral.com,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The valley floor hums with cowbells and the distant whir of paragliders circling above alpine meadows—as Trümmelbach’s glacial torrents roar through limestone caverns.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Oregon rises after beating Oklahoma State by 66, while Clemson falls after trailing Troy at halftime before a 27-16 win.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Raising systemic issues and then resolving them with humor falls flat for this critic.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avalanches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avalanches. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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