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

During emergencies, those facilities are converted into places of refuge from fires, floods or other disasters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
At 25 feet, County Highway 6 floods three miles east of Tonganoxie.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of floods

Noun

Presenter Zane Lowe has conducted loads of candid interviews with new and established musicians, and the company's Los Angeles studio has captured dozens of memorable performances for posterity.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
The two feature about 2,000 sensors that measure loads, airflow, vibrations and how the turbines interact with each other.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

Such terrain is already conducive to flash flooding, sudden torrents that can sweep down canyons and other low-lying areas with little warning.

— Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision unleashed unlimited torrents of money into political campaigns, elections are now largely financed by big money donors and super PACs.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of torrents

Noun

Over the years, Chivayo gave away dozens of luxury cars, buses, cash and other gifts to celebrities, church leaders, sports figures, politicians and social media followers, frequently broadcasting his largesse online.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
The controller also serves on dozens of boards, including those of the nation’s two largest public pension funds, California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS).

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of dozens

Noun

The rule also translates to an extra 90 tons a year of soot particles and 4,870 additional tons a year of smog components such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted into the air in coming years, experts say.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Now, workers in trucks move tons of earth to the gypstacks to fill and contour the former holding ponds.

— Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of tons

Noun

These foundation piles act as underwater stilts, anchoring and supporting heavy offshore infrastructure.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Do not compost diseased foliage because home compost piles or bins usually do not get hot enough to kill the pathogens.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of piles

Noun

Both Kushner and his fellow envoy Witkoff have described approaching diplomacy as businessmen, identifying what each side wants, resolving obstacles and brokering deals.

— Allegra Goodwin, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
In the corporate world, that can look like closing more deals, executing launches faster, making better decisions under pressure and even experiencing lower rates of burnout.

— Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of deals

Noun

With annual revenues that can exceed hundreds of billions of dollars, these financial dynasties have made their mark both nationwide and across the globe.

— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Wilson even wrote that the multimillion-dollar awareness campaign by Secure Florida’s Future would not only help Hope Florida but would ultimately assist the hundreds of thousands of children stuck in the cycle of generational poverty.

— Jim Defede, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of hundreds

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“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spates

noun

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