1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
a spate of words has been published on this controversial topic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loads
a considerable amount
an off-color remark that drew a spate of complaints from TV viewers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spate
Three people have died in Louisville's jail in each of the past two years, according to a Courier Journal tally, a decline from years past when the jail experienced a spate of deaths.
—
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
However, results have been mixed with Rosenior admitting that discipline is a problem following a spate of red cards.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Texas sees a spate of warm records Warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected to continue in the Southwest and Southern Plains for a couple of days.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Now, a spate of new research released in the last few months offers some of the strongest rebuttals to date.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spate
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
However, results have been mixed with Rosenior admitting that discipline is a problem following a spate of red cards.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Texas sees a spate of warm records Warmer-than-normal temperatures are expected to continue in the Southwest and Southern Plains for a couple of days.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Now, a spate of new research released in the last few months offers some of the strongest rebuttals to date.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spate
Noun
-
The city initially closed Barton Springs in late February to remove the structure ahead of a major flood event that could damage it and force a longer shutdown.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility Hotel Thaynes has loads of accessibility accommodations for those who require it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Sagging Rooflines Heavy snow and ice loads can cause your roofline to bow or sag.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps it was lost in the Christmastime shuffle, or in the torrent of other deals and investments that have been flowing from the world’s most valuable company over the past year.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Most disappointing has been the torrent of negative reaction from engagement-farmers, emotional Bryant fans and others who seem to be looking to be outraged.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Warriors generated a slew of open looks, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities that their ball movement created.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The scientists used the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collected a slew of health information from roughly 7,000 Americans every two years between 1999 and 2020.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the 46-year-old Los Angeles resident organized a vigil Tuesday night at a local park, where the photos of slain protesters were displayed and dozens of Iranian Americans lit candles and took turns hopping over tea lights in a version of a fire-jumping tradition known as Chaharshanbe Suri.—
AMY TAXIN,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Reiner’s tribute was one of the emotional highs of the Oscars, Billy Crystal paying tribute to his dear friend and then being joined on stage by dozens of actors from Reiner’s movies, from Kathy Bates to Meg Ryan, Jerry O’Connell, Annette Bening and more.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet even though copper prices are near historic highs – over US$13,000 per ton on the London Metals Exchange – the profit margins are still too low and price swings are too volatile for companies to forecast reliable returns on the risky investment of building new mines.—
Adam Charles Simon,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Pavvy—whose account recently gained 39,000 after her own negative experience with a major hockey equipment manufacturer sparked a massive wave of online support—had been receiving tons of messages about Heated Rivalry before the Olympics, with many fans looking to get more involved in the sport.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Airstrikes have also killed the head of its Supreme National Security Council and a raft of other top-ranking leaders.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
John and Clarence Anglin escaped from The Rock in 1962 using a homemade raft and were never found.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The show had no stars, just a bunch of, then, very much unknown actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh, David Parfitt, and Rupert Everett, but Thompson came up with the idea of presenting them as a new class of thespians, the rest is history.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
-
So there’s one guy who is on the sales side and then a bunch of people on the purchasing end.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
