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
His business will, rewritten last spring, specifies selling the stake within 18 months. —Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 Forced to move their puck-stopping mainstay, Montreal shipped Roy to Colorado, and five months later in the spring of 1996, Roy was the defensive catalyst for the first Avalanche Stanley Cup title. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
At the same time, in a block of flats next door to the Bank of Al Muraqbah on the Edgware Road, a gang of professional thieves are about to spring into action. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025 The offense remained ice cold, despite being gifted a run, and the bullpen sprung a couple of leaks. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 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
  • The text records royal decrees including tax relief during poor Nile floods; donations to temples; the creation of a new priestly office; a festival tied to the heliacal rising of Sirius; and a calendar reform introducing a leap day every four years.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Gotham’s Ann-Katrin Berger, the 2024 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, finished with two saves, including a spectacular leap to stop a Kyra Carusa shot towards the end of the first half.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of leap
Noun
  • The Tesla is registered to 20-year-old David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, according to a senior LAPD source.
    — Alex Stone, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • During more than two hours of testimony, journalist Michael Shellenberger testified that sources had informed him that intelligence communities are in possession of numerous high-resolution photos and videos of the craft unlike any of the grainy imagery that has so far been declassified.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of source
Verb
  • Instead, Kansas City schools - many of which started classes this week - will have to get creative to balance both environments.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • That could mean the index is vulnerable to a pullback if the tech sector starts to falter — especially at a moment when many investors fear the megacaps are priced for perfection.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of start
Verb
  • The typical price of a single-family home in the United States is about $368,000, jumping roughly 13% over the past 5 years and 38% over the last decade, the ABC News data team found.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Oracle said that revenue this fiscal year in that business will jump 77% to $18 billion from $10 billion in the last year.
    — Ari Levy, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • This year’s results covering 2023 and 2024, which were shared exclusively with Forbes, will be released tomorrow.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Agents detained two suspects – including one at the scene of the crime – but later released them and cleared them of any involvement.
    — Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • Even a two-hour hop with a wider seat and free drinks can make a noticeable difference in your trip.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • So many first-time visitors get their bearings on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus, but that’s far from the only way to see the city and arguably the least effective.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of hop
Noun
  • This project will also focus on creating a space with multicultural appeal, in the center of the cradle of the Renaissance.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Poland has reported the entry of Russian drones and missiles multiple times since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • During World War II, Jenkins began selling items like monuments, tombstones, furniture, home appliances, toys and gifts, in addition to their usual music products.
    — Sarah Biegelsen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 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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