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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Haiti’s recent catastrophic floods have only compounded the country’s overlapping crises.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The camp plans to implement emergency training and drills for floods, fire and other disasters, but investigators found the lack of previous training was key in the deaths.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Engineers can simulate movements, loads, and environmental conditions before real deployment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
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However, there are moments of reprieve between loads of clothes, sheets, and towels.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spring rains and winter snowmelt have swelled rivers and lakes, forcing torrents of water through Cheboygan County communities on its way to Lake Huron.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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The silken charcoal bathrobes are a decadent touch, as are the welcome torrents of piping water that rain from monsoon showers and the wonderful organic soaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The free event will feature dozens of local organizations dedicated to helping seniors and their families in the Elgin area, according to the expo’s website.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Relatives of the defendant, about a half dozen of whom watched from the gallery at his arraignment, cheered the judge’s decision to cut Alexander loose.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Amazon Leo 5, which launched on April 4, boosted that number to 29 and set a new record for the heaviest payload ever flown by an Atlas V in the process — 18 tons.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Broward generates 5 million tons of garbage annually, or 20,000 pounds per minute.—
Mike Ryan,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Turn compost piles every two weeks.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Windscale’s two piles had been hastily built during the British atomic bomb project.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For Braylon, one of the most consequential shots in March Madness history opened doors in this new age of NIL compensation and endorsement deals, which had an equalizing factor in his decision between going off to the NBA as a likely first-round pick or spending another year in college.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s an owner whose name’s in there hundreds of times.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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Some of the original board members are still involved with the museum, but hundreds more joined the effort, some volunteering, others donating surf boards and memorabilia, and many sharing their stories, including famous surfers from Eddie Aikau, Nat Young, Greg Noll and Donald Takayama.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spates. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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