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.
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a spate of short-term fixes Tuesday, including debt restructuring, to close this year’s budget gap. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Since the power went out, there has been a spate of generator thefts in his neighborhood, said Calvin Boone, 44, a father of four. — Selina Guevara, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026 While closures on the scale of Harrisburg’s are rare, in 2022, the Jewish Federation of New Mexico collapsed following a spate of bitter legal and boardroom battles and a widening financial crisis. — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 When asked about the spate of shootings, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis told NPR that the task force has made more than 11,000 arrests and seized more than 2,000 firearms. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 23 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spate

noun
ˈspāt How to pronounce spate (audio)
: a sudden flood or rush
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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