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
Multiple drones crossed into NATO member Finland, officials said on Sunday, the latest in a spate of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) incidents hitting the alliance's eastern flank.
—
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Memory stocks — Shares of the companies that were Wall Street’s favorite play to start 2026 rebounded Friday after a spate of losses.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The arson and assaults in four Nablus-area villages yesterday came a day after the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported simultaneous attacks in at least six communities overnight — the latest spate of violence in the occupied West Bank.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spate
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Memory stocks — Shares of the companies that were Wall Street’s favorite play to start 2026 rebounded Friday after a spate of losses.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The success of the (ahem) more mature coaches flies in the face of the narrative following a spate of recent retirements.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The arson and assaults in four Nablus-area villages yesterday came a day after the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported simultaneous attacks in at least six communities overnight — the latest spate of violence in the occupied West Bank.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spate
Noun
-
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Several highways connecting the capital to the provinces have been damaged by floods and landslides, forcing travelers to take long, circuitous routes to reach Kabul, Public Works Ministry spokesman Ashraf Haqshinas said Saturday.—
Abdul Qahar Afghan,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Once transported to the canyon, the modular components were assembled and put into place using one of the world’s largest cable cranes (cranes that move loads while suspended on cables), which spanned the gorge between the two towers.—
Aman Kumar,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
-
According to Archer Western, HDR’s design engineers failed to properly account for wind loads — including hurricane winds — in an initial, partial design for the signature bridge arches that the contractor used to calculate construction costs and time for its bid.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his previously unreported warning was the first of a torrent of claims and counterclaims shared by conservative commentators after Kirk’s death.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The opening salvo took out the heart of the Iranian regime, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and triggered a torrent of hundreds of retaliatory missiles and thousands of drones from Iran across the region.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In her letter late last month to City Council members, the city attorney raised a slew of questions about the fiscal contract with LA28.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This is the other side, a story rife with inconsistencies, false claims and, now, a slew of felony charges that could land her in prison for decades.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
More than a half-dozen potential candidates are speaking here to make inroads among Black leaders, one of Democrats' most powerful voting blocs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Yet a new work from the guy who gave you Sex, Lies and Videotape — and Traffic, and Erin Brockovich, and Out of Sight, and Magic Mike, and Black Bag, and literally dozens of other movies that run the gamut from intriguing to flat-out brilliant — is still worth clearing your schedule for.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The underground excavation machine, weighing around 500 tons, is designed to dig vertical shafts through solid rock at depths previously difficult to reach using conventional mining techniques.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Companies that emit more than 100 tons of any pollutant in one year must apply for Title V permits.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nearly three decades later, the credit card—along with a raft of other perks—accounted for $8 billion, or about 10%, of Delta’s revenue in 2025.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the News Chronicle, published seven months after the rescue, Cox said the raft was initially attacked by a stinging octopus, and that the lost man, severed by a shark, was finished off by a manta ray.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday event is live, unlocking great deals on a bunch of big tool brands.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Also, at Tribal, Dee says that there are two groups forming with a bunch of people in the middle.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spate. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
