Synonyms

in spades

Idioms

Considerably, in the extreme; also, without restraint. For example, They were having money problems, in spades, or Jan told him what he really thought of him, in spades. This expression alludes to spades as the highest-ranking suit in various card games, such as bridge, and transfers “highest” to other extremes. [Colloquial; 1920s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

in spades

The 2026 Six Nations delivered attacking rugby in spades, with 111 tries the most scored in the championship since Italy were admitted.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

Life is about showing up for others, and you have done that in spades, but it’s also about enjoying what the world has to offer.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 10, 2026

Many US refineries were designed, and are still geared, specifically for processing the kind of heavy crude Venezuela has in spades.

From Barron's ● Dec. 22, 2025

Whatever self-possession Ortega thinks she may have lacked, Wednesday has it in spades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2025

I have no business improving others, much less buffing up Lelia, who has it over me in spades.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

in spades

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words