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
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
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
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In the past, it's been falsely linked with everything from hurricanes to floods, wildfires and alien abductions.
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Deadly floods are common in parts of Africa, which is among the regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events despite being responsible for a small fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Noun
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Double bag any heavy trash bags or loads that contain a lot of wet food to prevent rips and leaks.
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Battery systems could support those loads alongside renewable generation or other power sources.
Noun
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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.
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Heavy rainfall in the area caused torrents and increased the risk of landslides, making rescue operations more difficult, state media said.
Noun
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The 2026 tournament has the highest rate of goals per match in decades and is the first in World Cup history to have scored more than 200 goals (with two dozen matches still left to play).
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Krispy Kreme’s Fourth of July Collection will be available in-shop and for pickup or delivery via the Krispy Kreme app and website, individually and by the dozen.
Noun
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Having a few good friends can be more meaningful than having tons.
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There are tons of other great Spanx deals to shop over the Fourth of July weekend.
Noun
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This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
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The alternating placements of the piles/objects are very precise, which creates a series of chicanes, indicating they are not intended as obstructions but rather to prevent rapid ingress and egress by any vehicle toward the tunnels.
Noun
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Don’t wait to shop, since these fast-selling deals won’t last long.
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Amazon has deals on the exact brands the multi-hyphenate wears and raves about, plus pieces pulled straight from her playbook (cough, her Instagram, cough).
Noun
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Some students going back to school in August can kiss their cellphones goodbye during the day, thanks to one of the hundreds of new laws going into effect in Georgia on July 1.
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Much of the same was seen in Pacoima, where a hundreds of people were spotted dancing and watching fireworks at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Van Nuys Boulevard.
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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