1
as in landslide
a large mass especially of snow, ice, dirt, or rocks descending from a high place
Much of the mountainside was covered by the avalanche.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influx
a sudden large amount of something that overwhelms
After the disaster, the town received an avalanche of letters and donations from supporters and well-wishers.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to fall
to fall down in a large mass
The snow avalanched down the mountainside.
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 avalanche
Angel Saunders, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Rivers in the sky AccuWeather warned of possible flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays as excessive rains move across California.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021
Many of these rocks have avalanched from the walls of steep mountains.
—Anchorage Daily News, 16 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for avalanche 
Noun
The avalanche occurred on Monday, Feb. 3, in the Monte Cristo Snowmobile Area near the Rich County and Cache County Line, the sheriff's office said in a press release.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Rivers in the sky AccuWeather warned of possible flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays as excessive rains move across California.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
And many of those paths, some of which are accessible from the Humphreys Peak trail, will avalanche every year.
—Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021
Many of these rocks have avalanched from the walls of steep mountains.
—Anchorage Daily News, 16 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for avalanche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avalanche
Noun
-
In areas affected by heavy rain, landslides and rockslides are possible.—
Daniel Amarante,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
As widespread flooding swamped Kentucky, Kentucky Route 160 in Knott County was closed due to a landslide, while some homes in Perry County were evacuated, and waters in Hardin County reached historic levels, Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday afternoon.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For many households, their tax refund check — which last year averaged more than $3,100 — is often their biggest cash influx of the year.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Human rights groups say the expulsion of Palestinians would likely violate international law. Egypt has warned that any mass influx of Palestinians from Gaza would undermine its nearly half-century peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of U.S. influence in the region.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Good news for green energy The cost of a utility-scale solar panels has fallen 82% since 2010, according to the the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For example, the agency would ensure water and sewer systems could handle bigger floods, or would plan to inoculate against diseases that might spread faster in warm weather.—
Jake Bittle,
WIRED,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Succession sowing will ensure an even flow of veggies to the kitchen, instead of a huge flood all at one time.—
Marianne Willburn,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers have an overflow of relievers in the bullpen after signing Kirby Yates.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Sam Altman of Open AI had a seat in the overflow room in Emancipation Hall, as did Alexandr Wang of Scale AI.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Home sales skidded to a fresh low in 2024, Andrea Riquier reports, as high mortgage rates and property prices kept buyers and sellers on the sidelines of the housing market.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Here are highlights from Day 4 of the Berlin Film Festival: Analysts at Ampere declare Peak TV to be over, documenting the 25% slide in global series commissions since 2022.—
William Earl,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In one image, the King could be seen giving his newborn granddaughter a kiss on the forehead as she was bundled up, with Queen Rania holding her up lovingly in another slide.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Dozens of swift water rescues have been conducted since a deluge of rain hit over the weekend, flooding entire neighborhoods.—
Li Cohen,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Trump showed no signs of yielding despite a deluge of suits.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near avalanche
Cite this Entry
“Avalanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avalanche. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share