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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of spates
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
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spates
Noun
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Scientists predict a particularly strong El Niño phenomenon this year that could trigger widespread droughts and floods, hammering the yields of staple crops.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
-
What to read next The indoor swimming pool area is beautiful; light floods in from the arched glass roof and through floor-to-ceiling windows.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
2 June 2026
Noun
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This means that a small engine can handle immense power loads without generating wasteful heat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Romance, steamy chemistry, and loads of pettiness — these are the staples of Love Island USA.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 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
Noun
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The close proximity of the plant to homes and schools led to widespread outrage and now dozens of lawsuits after residents were displaced for days.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Late summer and early fall have a couple dozen dates on the books but nothing in Boston yet.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Noun
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There are tons of spa treatments, all on the affordable side, ranging from an abdominal relaxation ritual for digestive lightness to cranial drainage for migraine relief.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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One such prize, the Nancy, was transporting 2,000 muskets, 30 tons of musket balls and a massive 15-inch brass mortar – supplies the American army desperately needed for the war effort.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Rodent holes, brush piles, firewood, timbers, dense undergrowth, and leaf piles can also attract wasps in search of a place to nest.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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Knisley has worked with communities where coal ash was used to fill children’s ball fields and seen Tennessee Valley Authority waste piles of the toxic ash piled up behind a public playground, open to the wind.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Driven by looming patent cliffs, newly buoyant public markets, and Big Pharma’s race to beef up their pipelines, dealmaking so far in 2026 amounted to $106 billion over 201 deals, according to PitchBook data.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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Prime members can access thousands of deals across all major categories, including electronics, camping gear, clothing essentials, comfortable shoes, premium beauty products, and more.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
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But Cepeda and Petro on Sunday night sowed doubt in the result and claimed — so far without evidence — that hundreds of thousands of votes were manipulated and that foreign actors interfered with the result.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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Photons from tens, hundreds, thousands of years ago collide with my eyes.—
Alexandra Oliva
June 1,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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