SPATES Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

spates

noun

plural of spate

as in floods

a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms a spate of words has been published on this controversial topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spates Markets also have been wavering from spates of heavy selling of stocks in companies linked to the boom in artificial intelligence. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 When spates of violence like that occur, Norman said the department increases patrols in that area, drawing on resources from outside the area to do so. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spates

Noun

At least 165 people have been killed, and hundreds more are missing after catastrophic floods swept through towns and valleys along the border between Nepal and China's Tibet region.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
And in other spots in Florida, like the Keys and Tampa Bay, residents are choosing to elevate their existing homes several feet to keep them safe from floods.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of floods

Noun

The team must improve the fabrication process, scale up the laser power, and determine whether the ceramic waveguides can maintain their optical performance under much higher loads.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
The rocket planes tested reaction-control systems for maneuvering where the air was too thin for normal aerodynamic controls, while gathering data on heating, stability, structural loads, human performance and piloting techniques during reentry.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

The rocks and melted water suddenly swelled the rivers in the valleys below, causing torrents of water that swept buildings, bridges and earth downstream in Tibet and Nepal.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Footage shows torrents of mud and debris sweeping through settlements and carrying buildings and vehicles with them.

— Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of torrents

Noun

Earlier this year, the US government introduced new rules requiring citizens of dozens of countries, including Cape Verde, to post a bond of up to 15,000 dollars to enter the United States.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Last week, dozens of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spate of abductions at several villages in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state.

— Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dozens

Noun

Experts said it was most likely caused by a partial glacier collapse that sent tons of ice and rock crashing down into the valley below, setting off a powerful landslide.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
California wine has already been contending with declining demand and global oversupply issues, leading to downsizing, closures and disposal of tons of grapes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of tons

Noun

Dolly Parton's mass appeal, which transcends cultural, political and generational lines, is so intriguing that piles of books, essays, podcasts, TV shows and other media aim to get to the bottom of it.

— Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of piles

Noun

The last year has seen a groundswell of M&A activity focused on rare disease, and dozens of deals to purchase, license or fund new treatments for the rare community.

— Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
In the lawsuit, investors alleged they were led to believe that a groundbreaking Wondermind app would be made, advertising deals would be struck, and celebrity cover stories were already underway.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deals

Noun

The toll is expected to rise, as hundreds of people are still missing, including foreign nationals from several countries.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
ReelShort has struck a deal with Indonesian streaming platform Vidio to bring hundreds of microdramas to local audiences, as well as co-produce new short dramas with Indonesian production houses.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hundreds

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spate

spates

spats

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“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of spates

noun

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