spates

noun

plural of spate
1
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
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 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
  1. floods
  2. loads
  3. torrents
  4. dozens
  5. tons
  6. piles
  7. deals
  8. hundreds
Noun
  • With less than 2% of California homes insured against floods, an El Niño winter is a timely reminder to explore coverage through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The floods also altered the course of the White River, which is now flowing into the Martin Marietta quarry at 96th Street and Gray Road, which can hold millions of gallons of water.
    — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 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
  • Total rainfall of nearly 3 feet was expected on the higher windward slopes, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides.
    — Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Citizens poured out torrents of letters to editors complaining of Holmes’s fate.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of torrents
Noun
  • The Inwood Fire Department said dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed at the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In early August, dozens of vessels were waiting for their turn in the Panama Canal.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of dozens
Noun
  • Authorities seized 18 tons of Colombian marijuana from a shrimp boat early Sunday near Sapelo Sound off the South Georgia coast.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The tech company developed a software platform that analyzes and synthesizes tons of sources of operational data.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of tons
Noun
  • The Town of Munster has enlisted help in getting residents dug out of the seemingly endless piles of debris from the August 11 derecho.
    — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But her frustration piles up as her efforts to track the package down repeatedly fail.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of piles
Noun
  • Players voluntarily asking out of NFL deals to return to college would be unprecedented, and the latest twist in the NCAA’s ongoing legal battles and enforcement challenges.
    — Justin Williams, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Manning began her career at Fullscreen Media, working with digital creators to build multi-platform media businesses, develop original IP and structure cross-platform deals.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 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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Cite this Entry

“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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