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
Caladiums are mostly seasonal, lasting spring through late summer or fall. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 His primary focus, the Athens Twilight Criterium, was an annual spring event that often drew 40,000 screaming spectators to the one-kilometer circuit on downtown streets on a Saturday evening. — Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
With every World Cup, the possibility that a genuine surprise will be sprung, either at the collective or the individual level, is shrinking. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Ricketts sprung second-half sub Omar Yehya to the end line, and Yehya rewarded Moshobane for all his work by finding him in the box. — Idaho Statesman, 12 July 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 great technological leaps in American history have often featured influential industrialists who step forward as vanguards, leading the way to a better tomorrow while emerging as major players in extreme endeavors.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • To make that second-year leap, the 22-year-old put in extra work this offseason.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of leap
Noun
  • Increasingly, however, these influencers are guides, companions, cultural interpreters, and trusted sources of information in an age of rock-bottom trust in public institutions.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Two sources familiar with the matter told CNN over the weekend the uranium enrichment provision includes stipulations imposed by the US, but details of potential limitations are unclear.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of source
Verb
  • Add in Oracle and sovereign-scale projects like Stargate, and the buildout starts to resemble a national infrastructure program more than a corporate capex cycle.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • On Sunday, authorities said one man was arrested on Kefalonia on suspicion of having started a fire that spread quickly in the southeastern part of the island, triggering the evacuation of nearby villages.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • That jumps from his previous $45 million average and pushes him to the top of the quarterback market.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • The company reported record US production and said worldwide production jumped 20% year-over-year.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • The most recent National Climate Assessment, released by the federal government in 2023, warned most of Georgia will likely see between 10 and 40 more days with temperatures of at least 95 degrees by midcentury.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • He was detained, questioned and later released by authorities that same day.
    — Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of release
Noun
  • Those who are crowd-averse should take it all in from a distance at Battery Park or the Brooklyn Promenade, or hop on the free ferry to Staten Island to catch views of the Statue and the New York Harbor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2026
  • English trip hop group Massive Attack are under investigation by Singapore authorities after voicing support for Palestine during a recent show in the country, according to reports from the BBC and Channel News Asia.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Definition of hop
Noun
  • Vigeland Museum describes the work as a summary of the park’s journey from cradle to grave, encompassing joy, sorrow, hope and longing.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Does the documentary go through your entire life, cradle to now?
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Joe Mack and Xavier Edwards added RBI singles later in the fifth for the Marlins, who began the day 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia and Arizona for the final two NL playoff spots.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The festival began as a seasonal attraction but has grown into a Kansas City-area family tradition centered on education and close encounters with butterflies.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 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 Aug. 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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