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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Schoen’s land had been through floods before, and water reaching past the pavilion was nothing new to him.—
Abrielle Kate Maddison,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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In reality, Real Kashmir FC was born out of the devastating Kashmir floods of 2014, which killed around 550 people in India and Pakistan.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When using the dishwasher or washing machine, run full loads to maximize usage of the water.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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The 2026 Super Bowl had loads of celebrities cheering on their favorite team from the VIP boxes—Jay-Z, Kendall Jenner, Saweetie, Rosé, and Travis Scott among them.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 2017, soaking storms led to flooding that caused $100 million in damage in downtown San Jose and the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people when the spillway at Oroville Dam, the nation’s tallest dam, in Butte County, partially collapsed under torrents of water.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Without intervention, water flows off the steep slopes in torrents, rapidly stripping away soil.—
Stephen Acabado,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At least three people died and nearly two dozen others were injured after a building used as temporary lodgings for workers caught fire early Friday in a suburb of Hungary's capital, authorities said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The state’s biggest cities historically benefit greatly, but the funding requests reach dozens of municipalities in all corners of the state.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In January 2018, Cora, a team contingent, and Boston Mayor Marty Wash flew to Puerto Rico to deliver 10 tons of medical supplies, water filtration systems, other necessities, and a monetary donation.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Casey Wasserman, creator of a talent agency behind tons of A-list music artists, actors and sports legends, and Ghislaine Maxwell had a handful of flirtatious email exchanges in 2003, according to documents included in the most recent release by the DOJ.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The veteran band appeared to tease their next era this week when their official website turned into a high school rocker’s bedroom festooned with rock posters that serve as interactive previews of new songs, amid piles of CDs and a clump of dirty clothes.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
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Fox News Digital took photos of the nearby camps — which contain piles of junk, such as clothes, open containers, boxes, bags and trash.—
Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Younger shoppers are using chatbots for comparison shopping, finding deals, summarizing product reviews, and generating shopping lists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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But economists warn that such projects typically are bad deals for taxpayers, because stadiums are closed most of the time, generate only temporary or part-time jobs, and largely take away spending from other types of entertainment.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Foro Penal estimates that hundreds of additional political prisoners still remain behind bars.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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The emails show how easily some digital media figures and companies were taken advantage of; publications that were publishing hundreds of articles a day hardly blinked when a positive article about a financier showed up, or a serious-sounding foundation official asked for an image tweak.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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