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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Our communities face attack after attack—floods and fires fueled by Big Oil, ICE agenda kidnapping our neighbors, congress revoking our healthcare.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Europe experienced its most extensive flooding since 2013, Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic floods to parts of the US, killing at least 230 people, and extensive flooding in West and Central Africa led to around 1,500 deaths.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Criteria are detailed for risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraint and dimensions, biomechanical considerations including acceleration limits, mechanical loads, electrical, operating conditions, fencing, handrails, gates, walkways, signage and many other areas.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
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Ortec is committed to sustainability through our optimization software, which minimizes fuel consumption and emissions by optimizing routes, loads and vehicle utilization—potentially reducing CO2 output for partners.—
Andre Claudio,
Sourcing Journal,
19 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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Last year, the quota was 231,485 tons (210,000 metric tons), which still wasn’t enough to meet demand.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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And along with every soldier in a modern army goes some six tons of equipment, ranging from bulldozers to bazookas.—
John Fischer,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
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One makes big plays at big moments, the other piles up a steady stream of little plays that lead to those big plays.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Many countries have sought to negotiate to remove or reduce the tariffs, some have made deals, while others have enforced counter tariffs.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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All-cash, no-contingency deals trade a bit of headline price for certainty, speed, and operating freedom the day after close.—
Lewis Schiff,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The hox gene clusters have two chunks of regulatory DNA that help set the activity of the genes within the cluster, one upstream of the genes, one downstream.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
17 Sep. 2025
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The ring particles mostly range from tiny, dust-sized icy grains to chunks as big as a house.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His administration has sought massive quantities of personal data about trans youth, their families, and medical providers, though one such federal subpoena demanding that information has already been quashed.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cotton farming can involve massive quantities of pesticides, and yarn dyeing pollutes waterways with toxic chemicals.—
The Editors,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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