leaping 1 of 2

Definition of leapingnext
as in rambling
passing from one topic to another we had trouble following the lecturer's leaping look at archaeological discoveries around the world

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leaping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of leap
as in jumping
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air the outfielder leaped into the air to catch the ball before it went over the fence

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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 leaping
Adjective
The Rams skipped across the country as a historic 10½-point favorite — biggest postseason spread in modern history — yet trudged home requiring a last-second touchdown pass from the unsinkable Matthew Stafford to a leaping Colby Parkinson. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026 Two plays later, Corona del Mar linebacker Cash Pearsall made a leaping interception near midfield. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025 Bryce Teodosio’s long fly ball landed to the back side of a leaping Outman, going for a leadoff triple in the bottom of the eighth inning. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
One of the biggest pieces of news of the week came via the Seahawks’ pool report, and that’s that rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury while leaping up in a passing drill. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026 Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the last into the fray, leaping onto his huddled team-mates. James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Kolasinki made a leaping catch in tight corner in the back corner of the end zone. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026 Brave the wait, and you’ll be greeted by the scent of simmering garlic, Giants decor, and taxidermied marlin leaping off the walls. Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026 Folks will pay $50 each for the privilege of leaping into the frigid waters. From Staff Reports, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 26 Jan. 2026 At the time of the attack, the children were leaping into the water off a 20-foot rock in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026 With Miami facing a second-and-3 from the Notre Dame 20-yard line, Daniels hauled in a pass from quarterback Carson Beck, leaping for a one-handed grab between a pair of Notre Dame defenders — defensive backs Adon Shuler and Leonard Moore — for a spectacular 20-yard touchdown. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaping
Adjective
  • Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
    David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Word spread quickly, and one of us—Lindsay Baach Friedmann—immediately swung into action, jumping into her car to make the three-hour drive up to Jackson.
    Lindsay Baach Friedmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Additionally, shares have had three amazing years in a row, jumping 36% in both 2025 and 2024, and 41% in 2023.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Because in realignment, where emotions are high and every president has a wandering eye, heft matters.
    Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Unfortunately, one of the few downsides of hotel hopping is having to repack and unpack your bags between stays, as well as the time lapse during the day between check-out and check-in.
    Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
  • McDonald’s, now, is hopping on the trend train, offering a suspiciously free caviar set for Valentine’s Day in partnership with Paramount Caviar, which includes caviar, crème fraîche, a caviar spoon, and a $25 McDonald’s gift card.
    Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Leaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaping. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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