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

Officials said the warning systems built since last year’s catastrophic floods were activated in Kerr County in the early hours before water levels began to rise, allowing for people to react quickly to flooding threats.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Dangerous floods are hitting southcentral Texas — a region that just marked one year since more than 130 people died in catastrophic flooding.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 July 2026

Definition of floods

Noun

Engineering experts said the conversion project is complex and poses many challenges, which include making sure older buildings can safely support new loads and carving up office floors to accommodate residential living.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
More crucially, Illinois’ grid is well-equipped to deliver the large electrical loads needed to process AI and other data.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 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

There have been dozens since the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Iran and the US in mid-June.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Starlink’s satellite internet has launched in around two dozen other African countries, but Musk has refused to follow South Africa’s affirmative action regulations.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of dozens

Noun

The largest, the Koda Suite (named for Leo’s dog), which was once occupied by the Daunt family, is a terrific family option, with two rooms, two bathrooms, tons of space, and its own private pool entrance.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Over several decades, hundreds and hundreds of tons — hundreds of thousands of gallons — of acid waste from the pesticide DDT and even DDT itself were dumped into the ocean off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and near Catalina Island.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of tons

Noun

According to the press statement, the project is anchored by over 400,000 structural steel piles manufactured by PACO Steel, using 142,000 tons of steel coils from US Steel’s nearby Big River facility.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
On the night before a big operation, Uncle Rich reminisces with the crew about his first and only incarceration years earlier, for stealing piles of newspapers.

— David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of piles

Noun

The most prominent position that UM’s athletic department has filled in the portal has been quarterback, with Cam Ward, Carson Beck and now Darian Mensah signed to big-money deals the past three years.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
While Beyond’s restaurant deals fizzled out over the years, its biggest competitor, Impossible Foods, also based in California, secured a partnership with Burger King for the Impossible Whopper.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of deals

Noun

In the heyday of the 1960s and ‘70s, the world’s oceans were sprinkled with hundreds of undersea habitats.

— Alex Harris July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
The surge is coming right at the peak of the summer driving season, which could cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars more compared with this time last year.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of hundreds

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spats

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“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of spates

noun

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