as in hops
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leaps
Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Coltrane was an obscure journeyman when Davis, who’d already played a key role in several evolutionary jazz leaps, hired him in 1955 to join his quintet.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
With how players have embraced their physical biometric data, Hoyer envisions tremendous leaps in this space in the coming years.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Your 9th House of Learning supports such leaps, so let your pals remind you why fun is a blessing.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
But the modest rating of the Doncic, Reaves and James combination has taken dramatic leaps this week alone.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, said researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
—CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Technological leaps included the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Pre-Safe braking systems, and infrared Night View Assist, all helpful, welcome features, as was the 26 percent boost in power in the various engines.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Montreal Canadiens Montreal is well on its way to future contention thanks to a budding elite core led by Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson, two players who have taken massive leaps toward cornerstone territory.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
As the three months are counted down in a clockwork way (at one point, the film simply leaps from the 12-week mark to the six-week mark), there’s little detailed feeling for how the designs evolve, for what’s at stake, or for the personalities of Jacobs’ associates.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Lancaster guard Journee Hampton (12), left, leaps to take possession of a loose ball during first half action against Austin Westlake.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Then Shep leaps into bed with Austen, practically spooning him and draping his legs over the big muppet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Coltrane was an obscure journeyman when Davis, who’d already played a key role in several evolutionary jazz leaps, hired him in 1955 to join his quintet.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
With how players have embraced their physical biometric data, Hoyer envisions tremendous leaps in this space in the coming years.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Your 9th House of Learning supports such leaps, so let your pals remind you why fun is a blessing.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
But the modest rating of the Doncic, Reaves and James combination has taken dramatic leaps this week alone.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, said researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
—CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Technological leaps included the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Pre-Safe braking systems, and infrared Night View Assist, all helpful, welcome features, as was the 26 percent boost in power in the various engines.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Montreal Canadiens Montreal is well on its way to future contention thanks to a budding elite core led by Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson, two players who have taken massive leaps toward cornerstone territory.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Another young girl, Maria Antonia’s best friend, leaps out of her desk to wrap her arms around her.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
As the three months are counted down in a clockwork way (at one point, the film simply leaps from the 12-week mark to the six-week mark), there’s little detailed feeling for how the designs evolve, for what’s at stake, or for the personalities of Jacobs’ associates.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Lancaster guard Journee Hampton (12), left, leaps to take possession of a loose ball during first half action against Austin Westlake.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Then Shep leaps into bed with Austen, practically spooning him and draping his legs over the big muppet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
-
Skiers still hit the jumps and fly through the air off the multiple ski jumps in a way that connects generations.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Do quick, small jumps using mostly your ankles, landing each time softly with a tiny bend in the knees.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As spring continues to make its attempt at remaining in the Sioux Falls area, Easter hops up with local egg hunts, basket giveaways, Easter candy and goodies and of course, the long-eared, fluffy holiday icon of the hour, the Easter Bunny.—
Vanessa Carlson Bender,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The 24-year-old had hops to put the finishing touches on the Lakers’ successful six-game trip.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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