spate

noun

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

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.
With this influx, there’s been a spate of new hotel openings, but most of them are located in the city center, which, though convenient, can get crowded in the summertime. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 The Ritz-Carlton is part of a spate of luxury redevelopment projects in South Beach near Lincoln Road. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Michigan officials on Saturday reported cyberattacks on nine of the state’s water systems, as investigators look into whether Iran is linked to a spate of similar hacks on states across the country. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 Heatwave across Europe The fires in France are part of an unusually long spate of hot weather across Europe, which scientists from World Weather Attribution say have created conditions that make wildfires more likely across the continent. — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for spate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spate

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spate

Nglish: Translation of spate for Spanish Speakers

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