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
Something as simple as a five-minute tech break without your device combined with another activity such as walking outside your office to get a quick breath of fresh air and sunlight can put spring in your step! —Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025 After blooming in spring, plants slowly move into a dormant period that lasts for about six weeks during the warmest part of summer. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025
Verb
The push for crypto bills did not spring into existence because of a financial crisis. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 June 2025 When a storm passes and conditions are safe, crews cans spring right into action. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 21 June 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
  • Unless the Pistons have another massive leap in store, there isn’t a team rising through the ranks that inspires unmitigated confidence in their postseason chops.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • Get involved in a network of small business owners who have made the leap.
    — Peter Boolkah, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of leap
Noun
  • My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.
    — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of source
Verb
  • He’s set to start the All-Star Game in right field on Tuesday night.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2025
  • In 2019, Ri sued her dad and his business partner, Moses Perkins, for starting a company called Fenty Entertainment, alleging that the men were attempting to profit off of her name and misleading investors about her involvement.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Definition of start
Verb
  • In 2024, Wimbledon’s viewership in India jumped 176%, hitting 36.3 million across TV and digital.
    — Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Here, Sheppard times the pass to perfection and jumps the lane, using his quick hands to blow up the action and spring in the other direction.
    — Kelly Iko, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Just last month, Stray Kids released its new EP, Hollow, but the project didn’t make much of a commercial impact in the United States.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • An independent inquiry into Wallace’s conduct on MasterChef will be published imminently, while next week, the BBC is expected to release an internal review into the failings that led to documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, being narrated by the child of a Hamas minister.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 July 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • Sierra Nevada is one of craft beer’s O.G.s, introducing many of us to a wide range of beer styles: pale ale and stout (both created in 1980), fresh hop India Pale Ale (Celebration, 1981), barleywine (Bigfoot, 1983) and others.
    — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • The brewery's year-round selection of beers includes Truth IPA, Cincy Light lager and Beer For Humans easy hop ale.
    — Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Definition of hop
Noun
  • When the handset was resting on the cradle, the line was closed.
    — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
  • To borrow from Walt Whitman, the Mooch is out of the cradle, endlessly rocking.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • The Judiciary Committee ought to begin right away its inquiry.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2025
  • In recent days, Trump has slapped tariffs of at least 20% set to begin Aug. 1 on more than a dozen countries.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 13 July 2025
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 19 Jul. 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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