spring 1 of 2

noun

Definition of springnext
1
as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the deer gave a sudden spring and disappeared into the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided the springs of this time-honored tradition run too deep to allow for easy explanation

Synonyms & Similar Words

spring

2 of 2

verb

ˈspriŋ How to pronounce spring (audio)
1
as in to start
to come into existence when it comes to love and romance, hope springs eternally

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air the cat sprang and pounced on the mouse

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) had to spend a night in jail until their lawyer could come to spring them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb spring differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spring are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

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

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 is it sensible to use derive instead of spring?

In some situations, the words derive and spring are roughly equivalent. However, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

Where would emanate be a reasonable alternative to spring?

While in some cases nearly identical to spring, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When might issue be a better fit than spring?

Although the words issue and spring have much in common, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for spring?

The meanings of originate and spring largely overlap; however, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When could proceed be used to replace spring?

The synonyms proceed and spring are sometimes interchangeable, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

In what contexts can stem take the place of spring?

While the synonyms stem and spring 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 spring
Noun
How Many Times a Year Is Way Day? Way Day happens twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Each spring since 2015, Pauly has called upon community scientists to document the mating behavior of alligator lizards, which involves the male holding the female in a bite, sometimes for days. —Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
People are also loving vintage plates painted with bunnies, flowers, and all things spring, adding a pleasant pop of color to your kitchen. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025 April Theory is a viral TikTok trend that reframes spring as the real beginning of the year. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
  1. leap
  2. source
  3. start
  4. jump
  5. release
  6. hop
  7. cradle
  8. begin
Noun
  • And the Steelers — the team oddsmakers and some in league circles believe could be interested in moving up from No. 21 for a QB — don’t have a history of making those types of big leaps very often.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Friday night represented Lee’s initial trip back to Boston since taking the head coaching reins of the Charlotte Hornets in June, making the leap from an assistant under Joe Mazzulla into the big chair at the end of the bench.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of leap
Noun
  • Tesla's lower-cost Model Y: US launch pushed back as sources reveal production challengesNeed a break?
    — Mike Scarcella, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know The man was on the fifth floor of Trump Tower and in an emotionally disturbed state, The New York Daily News reported, citing a police source.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of source
Verb
  • Bobby manages to save Chimney, who falls ill and starts coughing up blood while responding to the lab blaze.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Blackwell, a healthy scratch in Game 1, jumped into the lineup and instantly provided some energy, starting the first scrum of the evening after an early whistle.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of start
Verb
  • The report also notes that saving intentions for middle-income Americans jumped by 2.4 points in April while their intent to use debt fell 2.5 points.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The folks at Hugging Face, the open-source artificial intelligence gurus, just jumped into the world of robotics by acquiring Pollen Robotics.
    — Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • With McCaffrey sharing carries with Stewart as a rookie, the Panthers made the playoffs in 2017 before releasing Stewart a couple of months later.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Glory in Your Story: Activating a Fearless Faith to Change Your Life, Your Career, and the World, is set to release on April 15, wherever books are sold.
    — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • This lager from Maritime Pacific Brewery opened with sharp, herbal hops, then smoothed out as the malts asserted themselves.
    — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • McIlroy added another birdie at the par-5 15th, where his chip from behind the green Thursday took a big hop, picked up speed and rolled all the way into the water.
    — Dave Skretta, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of hop
Noun
  • Lina Zeldovich November 6, 2018 The cradle of civilization may not support our civilization anymore.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Soon, a humble little rock cradle appears, painstakingly assembled and fiercely defended.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Max subscription plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads while ad-free subscriptions cost $16.99 a month.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • WrestleMania 41 Day 2 begins at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on Peacock in the United States, with the kickoff show starting an hour earlier.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of begin

Phrases Containing spring

Browse Nearby Words

sprigs
spring
spring (for)
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on spring

Nglish: Translation of spring for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spring

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