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

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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

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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 the same time, the world’s 10 hottest years on record have all happened since 2015, and Americans across the country are experiencing climate change in worsening storms, riskier floods and fires, extreme heat and drought.

— Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Despite minimal carbon footprints, children there endure routine droughts, floods, and landslides, disrupting essential services like schools and health clinics.

— Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of floods

Noun

Why the farmer’s walk works Walking with heavy loads recruits nearly every major muscle group, with particular activation in the core and lower body.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Flaxseeds From lowering cholesterol to lowering the risk of certain diseases, flaxseeds come with loads of health benefits.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 July 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

Most of the deaths were in Hengzhou, where the partial collapse of a reservoir dam sent torrents of water into the city and claimed 26 lives, said Ding Wei, the vice mayor of Nanning city, which has jurisdiction over the area.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
One significant problem, however, is that red dwarfs spit out harmful torrents of radiation in fierce gusts of their stellar winds, which can strip away a planet's atmosphere.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of torrents

Noun

Miami officials have agreed to spend up to $150 million to lease dozens of new city vehicles — from street sweepers to motorcycles and ambulances — to address the city’s aging fleet.

— Tess Riski July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
While The Athletic spoke to a dozen sources around the league for this story, almost all refused to comment for publication, even anonymously.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of dozens

Noun

Local favorites include 5 Tacos & Beers, which has fresh, housemade corn tortillas, tons of brews on tap, and a charming patio area for outdoor dining.

— Barbara Noe Kennedy, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026
The company said the vehicles will operate at gross weights between 32 and 42 tons and have daily ranges between 250 and 300 miles, which depend on route profile, load weight and operating conditions.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 28 July 2026

Definition of tons

Noun

While baking soda is famously good at deodorizing smelly things, adding salt to compost piles can interrupt the composting process.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
Instead, there would be an uptick in compound disasters, as one extreme piles upon another.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of piles

Noun

That single habit, repeated across thousands of deals, is the real reason influencer rates keep climbing.

— Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Underwriting deals at realistic pricing and verifying insurability before acquisition were among the recommendations cited in the report for investors operating in markets with elevated carrying costs.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of deals

Noun

In addition to the startling experience of touching the remains of an animal that lived hundreds of millions of years ago, contact with the Mastodonsaurus offers an opportunity to reflect on the future, those involved in the project said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
As artificial intelligence expands across K-12 schools, Massachusetts announced a new $500,000 public-private investment in AI applied learning opportunities for hundreds of students, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced Tuesday.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of hundreds

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“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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