flow 1 of 2

verb

ˈflō How to pronounce flow (audio)
Definition of flownext
1
as in to stream
to move in a stream water was flowing over the dam at a tremendous rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drift
to move or proceed smoothly and readily as everyone relaxed, the conversation really started to flow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flow

2 of 2

noun

as in flood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flow are arise, derive, emanate, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of flow?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When might derive be a better fit than flow?

The synonyms derive and flow are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

In what contexts can emanate take the place of flow?

The meanings of emanate and flow largely overlap; however, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

When would issue be a good substitute for flow?

In some situations, the words issue and flow are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When can originate be used instead of flow?

While in some cases nearly identical to flow, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

Where would proceed be a reasonable alternative to flow?

The words proceed and flow can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is spring a more appropriate choice than flow?

The words spring and flow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace flow?

While the synonyms stem and flow are close in meaning, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 flow
Verb
Martinis are flowing and skinny French fries are arriving on small plates. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 Later genres such as house music, electronic dance music and new wave flowed from disco. —Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
That's not a time to drop the oars and just go with the flow. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Place the paper inside the jar, along with the herbs and seal the jar with green candle wax — green symbolizes abundance and the flow of new growth. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
  1. stream
  2. drift
  3. flood
  4. pour
  5. glide
  6. inflow
  7. sail
  8. torrent
Verb
  • The highest tier, which is $20.99 a month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • All six seasons of The Real Housewives of Miami are available to stream on Peacock.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of stream
Verb
  • Throughout the show, Sheeran often drifted to the back of the stage to lock into tight grooves with bodhrán (an Irish drum) player Eamon Murray, as fiddle player Niamh Dunne carved out fiery solos.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Texas officials disputed Mexico’s claim that the bodies were tangled in the buoys and said only one body was found and that the person drowned upstream and drifted downstream toward the buoys.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of drift
Noun
  • Constructed in the later half of the 19th century, the building has weathered fire, flood, abandonment—and even ghosts.
    — Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • For more than four decades, the state of the climate has been part of the national conversation—especially when severe weather events linked to a warming world such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and hurricanes occur.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Messages of support poured in for Biggs, including from his gubernatorial primary opponent, Karrin Taylor Robson.
    — Emily Brooks, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Sunlight poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows, with panoramic views of the ocean outside, and flowers adorned tables.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of pour
Verb
  • The razor was easier to use on wet skin because the water and soap provided more lubricant to glide along my legs, but the dry shaving was also easy and painless.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Cotton has a rougher feel, whereas silk pillowcases have a smoother, more frictionless surface that not only feels super luxurious but also allows your head to glide effortlessly.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of glide
Noun
  • That's less than one-third the 35,000-person net inflow reported in 2023.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Direct foreign investment into the U.S. came to $349 billion in 2023, the World Bank reported, nearly double No. 2 Singapore’s inflows.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of inflow
Verb
  • As part of its efforts under [Free and Open Indo-Pacific], [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] remains delighted to sail into friends' ports and help enhance openness thru various and collaborative interactions.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Domestic life did not suit the 26-year-old young woman who had once sailed to China to preach the word of God.
    — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of sail
Noun
  • Campos Mello broke a series of stories about businessmen who were financing a torrent of WhatsApp messages that denigrated Haddad.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Hub’s new gig unleashes a torrent of comically exaggerated gore and populates his world with even more colorful characters.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of torrent

Phrases Containing flow

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flouts
flow
flowed
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Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flow

Nglish: Translation of flow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flow

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