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
The debut of the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum — the centerpiece of a major public-private makeover of the iconic site — has been pushed back to spring 2028 from late 2027. —Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026 The charity’s board chairman, Joshua Hay, testified in a House committee last spring that Aaron told him to split the $10 million between two nonprofit organizations. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Even the world’s best project won’t spring into existence fully formed! —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026 What will spring 2026 be like in Arizona? —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 9 Feb. 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
  • Beyond missions to the moon and Mars, Taylor said the next major leap in space will come from computing and data processing in orbit.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Over the course of the past few decades, as technology has continued to evolve in leaps and bounds, so too have the visual aesthetic preferences of consumers.
    — William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of leap
Noun
  • The Dallas Cowboys are planning to place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Wright cited statistics showing that natural gas -- long the nation's leading source of electricity -- provided 43% of electric power at peak generation during the storm, followed by coal at 24% and nuclear at 15%.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of source
Verb
  • Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
  • And then the show started to really explode.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • Longtime supporters have jumped ship, viewing the LDP as too old-fashioned and center-leaning, and instead flocked to new right-wing parties.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Sonically, nothing jumps out and thrills, excites, or alarms.
    — Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • But its last shutdown plan, released in late September, indicates that 91% of its employees would continue to work without pay.
    — Riley Beggin, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • On day four of the search, the Guthrie siblings released a video on social media.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of release
Noun
  • While others focus on urban shuttles, Helix is built for single-person recreation, short-hop travel and specialized missions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The aircraft transitioned cleanly between modes, a step developers see as critical for scaling eVTOLs beyond short hops.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of hop
Noun
  • From the digital creations that power our modern world to the bridges that span these waters, the Bay Area has always been the American cradle of invention.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • O’Connor proves herself up to the task by eschewing the traditional cradle-to-grave narrative, peppered with interviews with those who knew the protagonist.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Many are optimistic the recent leadership change will begin to bear fruit.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The field, north of the mining town of Ballarat, had been used as a campsite during the Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851 and continued for decades.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of begin

Phrases Containing spring

Browse Nearby Words

sprigs
spring
spring (for)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 14 Feb. 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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