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.
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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.
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as in to fall
to fall down in a large mass
The snow avalanched down the mountainside.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avalanche
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
In both incidents, the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center warned of dangerous avalanche conditions in the area.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 June 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
On May 28, an avalanche of millions of tons of ice and rock barreled down the slope, burying Blatten, a centuries-old village nestled in the valley below.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
In both incidents, the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center warned of dangerous avalanche conditions in the area.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 June 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
-
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
Helena Wegner
July 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
-
Like millions of Gen Z, former British prime minister Rishi Sunak spent the last year on the job hunt, after voters ousted him from 10 Downing Street following a landslide electoral defeat for his party.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Noun
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The influx of Dutch immigrants starting from the 1800s is a major factor establishing the area around Zeeland and Holland, where furniture peers Haworth and MillerKnoll are also based.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
11 July 2025
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These were some of the striking scenes at a mass protest last week against gentrification and the rising cost of living in the Mexican capital city, which some have blamed on an influx of foreigners from the United States and Europe.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Partner that with another warning sign: A declining ratio of U.S. exports to imports while the U.S. deficit increases into record territory – like trade falling two months in a row, atypical since the former tends to remain steady even as the deficit increases.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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As 2024 began, demand for electricity on the national grid started falling—not because the economy was in decline but because (as careful scrutiny of images on Google Earth revealed) so many Pakistanis were putting up solar panels.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
Noun
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These funds are earmarked to directly aid flood relief and recovery efforts, providing essential support to families and communities grappling with the aftermath of the severe weather event.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
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Eight Camp Mystic structures fall within the most dangerous flood zone on FEMA maps, but that number jumps to 17 on maps from the First Street foundation — a nonprofit which takes current climate events into account and shares their models with the public.—
Bill Weir,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Away from the icy protocol of the main courtroom, the overflow room was unruly.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
9 July 2025
-
The consensus in the overflow room was that Jane was not as strong a trafficking witness for the prosecution as Ventura.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 July 2025
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At times, the testimony skidded toward animosity, exasperation and anger over the 205-bed shelter at 4306 W. State St., at a former Salvation Army location that abuts homes in the Veterans Park neighborhood.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Adidas Slip On Shoes, $16 with Prime These Adidas slip-ons are my go-to slides.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
11 July 2025
-
These were more like slides, with just one simple strap down the front to elongate the foot, and a nice buckle to finish.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
11 July 2025
Noun
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During the worst of the deluge, the Rio Ruidoso crested at 20 feet, five feet higher than any previous weather event.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
While National Weather Service forecasters had warned broadly about flash flooding, meteorologists and forecasting experts said the best weather models could not predict precisely where the most intense rainfall would fall, or that the deluge would stall out over a flood-prone basin.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avalanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avalanche. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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