spate

noun

ˈspāt How to pronounce spate (audio)
Definition of spatenext
1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms a spate of words has been published on this controversial topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slew
a considerable amount an off-color remark that drew a spate of complaints from TV viewers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spate Although these peaceful protests show no signs of slowing, there has also been a spate of violent acts against Tesla. — Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 This spate of terminations is the Trump administration’s most aggressive attempt so far to forcibly reshape American science to match its agenda. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 Even for those not directly involved, the emotional toll is significant, and comes at a time of other significant losses and turmoil around the world, including the war in Ukraine, recent wildfires in California and an unusual spate of plane crashes. — Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 The group, which is headed out on tour again in April, traveled the country in 2024 for a spate of live shows. — Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spate
  1. flood
  2. slew
  3. torrent
  4. dozen
  5. ton
  6. raft
  7. bunch
  8. deal
Noun
  • Brown saw 3 feet of water flood her home in a predominantly Black neighborhood that still shows damage from the storm.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Best Option Restoration is a nationally franchised disaster restoration business that handles wind and storm damage, fire damage, flood/water damage, and contents cleanout to residential and commercial customers.
    — Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of flood
Noun
  • The latest shakeup comes amid a slew of management changes at the luxury giant, which saw Guiony become president of the wines and spirits division.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Local dignitaries had much to celebrate during a Thursday gathering at Sutter Health Park, from the Athletics’ impending, three-year stint in West Sacramento to a slew of upgrades at the stadium.
    — Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of slew
Noun
  • Then a torrent of leads arrived, via the Knot’s online vender portal.
    — Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • More than 180,000 residents were evacuated from Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties in February 2017 when concerns mounted that the dam’s spillway would fail, sending a torrent of water downstream.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of torrent
Noun
  • Democrats were intent on making the effort as politically painful as possible, with action on some two dozen amendments to the package that GOP senators will have to defend before next year’s midterm elections.
    — Time, Time, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Crosby has assisted on nearly 50% more goals than Ovechkin has, putting him dozens of points ahead.
    — Jim Sergent, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of dozen
Noun
  • Both teams have three games left in the season, with not a ton of room to maneuver in the standings.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • As the lead guard for Kansas State, Sundell hasn’t had a ton of catch-and-shoot opportunities, and her free-throw percentage is a little low for a pure shooter.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of ton
Noun
  • Before the summit began, the government announced a raft of new measures.
    — Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The following year, Eric Ashby went missing after his raft overturned on the Arkansas River in Colorado.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of raft
Noun
  • The base that this is based on now has a bunch of barbed wire and fencing.
    — Fred Topel, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Amazon is running a bunch of sneaky deals on Martha Stewart’s housewares line, including furniture, kitchen essentials, and seasonal decor starting at $16.
    — Clint Davis, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of bunch
Noun
  • The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon TV series originated a couple of years ago when Sony regained the rights to the books through a first-look deal with Vertigo and tapped Ning to adapt it as part of an overall deal.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sony Pictures Television, where both Ning and Moore are under overall deals, will produce.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of deal

Browse Nearby Words

spat
spate
spates
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on spate

Nglish: Translation of spate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All