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

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
My ex, who is really just a good friend at this point, is part of a group trip that we’ve been invited on this spring. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026 For a full list of spring events, check out our guide. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Spring has sprung, birds are singing and flowers are blooming, which can only mean April is arriving. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 Does springing forward in early March leave you feeling discombobulated during your commute? —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026 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
  • The leap up to federal policy marks a new chapter in the group's evolution, said Maurice Cunningham, a former political science professor at the University of Massachusetts-Boston who tracks the organization and its relationships.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Artemis, by contrast, aims to establish a base near the lunar south pole, building knowledge and skills that will help humanity make the next giant leap — to Mars.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of leap
Noun
  • Its companion Renpho Health app (available for Android and iOS) tracks 50 health metrics, but some (like calories consumed and burned) rely on your input or external sources.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Lynn, frustrated not to know the source, began searching for it on her phone, but nothing came up.
    — Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of source
Verb
  • That decade started with the 1973 oil embargo by Arab countries who were members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and ended with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which many attribute to helping end Jimmy Carter's presidency.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Milwaukee’s attention on Brown and Tatum created several wide-open inside looks for Queta, who started 5-for-6 and drew two shooting fouls during a 13-point frame.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • The footage shows an alarm going off on an iPhone, with a gray cat instantly jumping up and using its paws to turn it off.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But at the start of this year, Brvenik’s monthly premium jumped to nearly $142 after the credits expired.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • In 2024, the Pentagon released hundreds of reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The cause of the woman's death has not yet been determined, and police have not released her name.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of release
Noun
  • After a pop out, Hunter Harrington hit a one-hop bolt at third baseman Cruz Partida, who made a great sprawling stop.
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The shows have been a talker online among fans and hip hop pundits, who are debating who will put on a better set.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of hop
Noun
  • Humankind is bound to become a space-faring species, expanding beyond the bounds of Mother Earth, just as it, millions of years ago, spread out of its cradle in Africa.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
  • According to a Chef Rotanak Ros The Cambodian celeb chef known as Chef Nak shares her recipe for an invigorating weekend in the cradle of Khmer cuisine.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Transportation Security Administration Officers began receiving their paychecks, which were not funded during an ongoing partial government shutdown.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In assessing a life prison term for DeAujalae Evans, the jury selected the most severe penalty for intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer, the offense to which Evan pleaded guilty as the jury began to hear evidence in the case of the death of Sgt.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
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 5 Apr. 2026.

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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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