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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Recent Examples of avalanches
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avalanches
Noun
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Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Costa Rican authorities have issued a nationwide green alert, warning that an intensifying rainy season and a developing Pacific low-pressure system threaten to trigger even more catastrophic landslides.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Noun
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But the study also found that huge influxes of money seldom led to a fundamental change in a winner’s mental state.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
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By July 7, the competition will have shrunk to 16 teams, which is when host cities could see influxes of last-minute foreign arrivals.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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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,
8 June 2026
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The film, which is set to bow in Un Certain Regard on May 21, tumbles through tones, swerving through pitch-black humor, empathy, fury and larger-than-life moments.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Extreme floods that once swamped coastal communities only rarely are becoming far more common as climate change caused by humans pushes sea levels higher, according to new research.—
Alexa St. John,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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Gulf Coast states already dealing with massive floods are bracing for even more extreme weather as the first tropical storm of the season could form as early as Tuesday night.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Researchers believe periodic flooding and river overflows helped preserve the eggs by covering them in sediment millions of years ago.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
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As long as the 83/17 split remains in place, protecting local waterways from combined sewer overflows will continue to exacerbate the water affordability crisis in Detroit.—
Nicole Van Lier,
The Conversation,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The former is a ring on the bottom of the rock that skids across the ice, and the latter is a band around the sides of the rock that collides with other rocks (ideally knocking an opponent’s rock off the bull’s-eye or nudging your team’s closer to it).—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cargo plane skids off runway in Hong Kong An Emirates Boeing 747 cargo plane skidded off the runway after arriving at Hong Kong International Airport and landed in the sea, according to airport authority.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But studies have found that voter trust slides as results lag, and this primary made clear that disinformation gains more traction the longer contests drag on, especially with lead changes.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Medical materials were also found on the scene, including tubes, microscope slides and potential hospital records, per TVP World.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Heavy rainfall in the area caused torrents and increased the risk of landslides, making rescue operations more difficult, state media said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
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Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avalanches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avalanches. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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