spate

noun

ˈspāt How to pronounce spate (audio)
Synonyms of spate
1
a
: a large number or amount
a spate of books
b
: a sudden or strong outburst : rush
a spate of anger
2
: freshet, flood

Synonyms of spate

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Examples of spate in a Sentence

A spate of books on the subject have come out recently. There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Tensions have soared in the West Bank in the weeks before the Israeli election, with a spate of settler violence and military activity centered on the start of the olive harvesting season. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026 About Estrogen Skin Care There are two main (and opposing) concerns about this new spate of estrogen skin-care products. — Ashley Abramson, Allure, 22 Oct. 2026 The incident follows a spate of drone attacks on at least seven cargo vessels off the Black Sea coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria in October. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 The recent spate of probable Russian attacks in the Black Sea is now disrupting shipping carrying Ukraine’s latest harvest to the rest of Europe, with some cargo being rerouted overland or through the River Danube, Politico reported. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of spate was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing spate

Rhymes for spate

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Browse Nearby Words

spatchcock
spate
spatfall
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Cite this Entry

“Spate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spate

noun
ˈspāt How to pronounce spate (audio)
: a sudden flood or rush
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