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.
Born in Coatzacoalcos, in southern Mexico, the actor found her feet in her early 20s, in soap operas Un Nuevo Amanecer and Teresa, winning fans and a spate of awards. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026 The spate of fatal stabbings occurred in Hartford, Rocky Hill and New Haven, where two such incidents were reported in the same day. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 There has been a spate of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and the village of Qusra has been besieged by Israeli settlers for weeks. — F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026 Last week, dozens of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spate of abductions at several villages in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state. — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 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 4 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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