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
Adopt the trend this spring and summer by going for light, airy fabrics that pair well with a white tank, a tube, or a low-cut top. —Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025 Our go-to destination for cute spring dresses is Amazon’s fashion store, which is stocked with tons of trendy options including sundresses, maxi dresses, and classic floral styles for under $30. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Now, more than a year after Valerie’s disappearance, hope has sprung. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 And during evening hours, the forests spring to life with the loud peeping of the island’s many coquí species, a variety of tiny frog that’s renowned for its signature call. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 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
  • In a trailer for the documentary shared exclusively with PEOPLE, A Goofy Movie director Kevin Lima recalls what a leap of faith the project was from the start.
    — Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But really, the act of getting pregnant is a leap of faith.
    — Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of leap
Noun
  • Legendary is eyeing a 2026 production start, another source adds.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Constructed from Alexander Graham Bell’s simple tetrahedron cell, the Cygnet model consists of two equilateral paper triangles, connected and illuminated by a hidden light source.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of source
Verb
  • Those who don't want to risk missing out should start preparing for it now. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Smash The Musical starts just well enough, and stays there.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of start
Verb
  • The polling came shortly before the stock market experienced a whirlwind on Monday, jumping briefly following rumors that Trump was considering a 90-day pause on implementation of the tariffs.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Medium-sized dogs can potentially jump up to 7 or 8 feet in the air, or even higher.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Despite reuniting for live performances in recent years, Rage Against the Machine hasn’t released any original studio material since 2000’s Renegades.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • McFarland previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the disastrous first Fyre Festival and was released from prison in 2022 after serving less than four years.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • While Rita Ora and Jenny McCarthy guessed basketball legends Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke went full throttle with a hip hop legend.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The hop from 8K to 4K just isn’t nearly as compelling as the jump from 1080p to 4K. That might change once streaming services announce movies and shows in 8K (or an 8K physical media standard), which could show more of a difference than tech demo footage, but for now, 8K remains a nonstarter.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of hop
Noun
  • Working inside the iconic 52-story-tall Vehicle Assembly Building, ground teams used heavy-duty cranes to first lift the butterscotch orange core stage from its cradle in the VAB's cavernous transfer aisle, the central passageway between the building's four rocket assembly bays.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Side and stomach sleepers will especially appreciate the side channels that cradle arms, as well as divots that minimize pressure on cheeks and ears.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Following news of his death, multiple tributes began to pour in for him on his last Instagram post.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • What begins as a simple quest soon transforms into a life-changing adventure, forcing Alex to reevaluate her priorities.
    — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 9 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 16 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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