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
Example Sentences
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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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At a hearing in late July, the Texas House and Senate Committees heard that 137 people had died as a result of the floods, with two people still missing.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
After spending months in a FEMA trailer following devastating floods last winter, Caudill moved into a low-income apartment in a hollow outside of town with his partner, Cassie Collins, 31, a waitress who is recovering from substance abuse.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Federal agents stopped three boats that were en route to South Florida from the Bahamas and were smuggling large loads of cocaine and dozens of Chinese migrants last week, according to court documents.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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On top of that, the humanoid handled different types of dishwasher loads, from dishes to glasses, adapting itself to execute the task with perfection.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.—
AZCentral.com,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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The valley floor hums with cowbells and the distant whir of paragliders circling above alpine meadows—as Trümmelbach’s glacial torrents roar through limestone caverns.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Today, carbon capture is far from being deployed at scale, despite billions of dollars in investments around the world, and the amount of carbon currently captured is just a tiny fraction of the billions of tons of carbon dioxide emitted every year.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Greenwood State Beach unfolds below the bluff, a crescent of sand often empty but for driftwood piles and the occasional bonfire ring.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Many prefer soft beds or blankets, while others are drawn to unusual objects such as laundry piles, cardboard boxes, or even shoes.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Then keep scrolling to shop more fall-ready Pottery Barn bedding deals.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Some of Amazon’s top patio furniture deals include this five-piece set from Devoko that’s now under $300, and this Best Choice Products bistro set that’s finally under $100.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church were giving up chunks of their salaries to colleagues who lost churches in the area.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
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Ship sports other battle scars as well; several chunks are missing near its base, which looks a bit like the ear of a dog that lost a fight.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With its price still under wraps, no cap was given for the Gérald Genta Minute Repeater but it is expected to be produced in limited quantities and be available from September.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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The grim irony of Sudan’s predicament is that Africa’s third-largest country boasts significant mineral reserves, including huge quantities of gold, as well as vast swathes of arable land.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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