flow 1 of 2

verb

ˈflō How to pronounce flow (audio)
Definition of flownext
1
as in to stream
to move in a stream water was flowing over the dam at a tremendous rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drift
to move or proceed smoothly and readily as everyone relaxed, the conversation really started to flow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flow

2 of 2

noun

as in flood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flow are arise, derive, emanate, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of flow?

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 might derive be a better fit than flow?

The synonyms derive and flow are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

In what contexts can emanate take the place of flow?

The meanings of emanate and flow largely overlap; however, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

When would issue be a good substitute for flow?

In some situations, the words issue and flow are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When can originate be used instead of flow?

While in some cases nearly identical to flow, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

Where would proceed be a reasonable alternative to flow?

The words proceed and flow can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is spring a more appropriate choice than flow?

The words spring and flow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace flow?

While the synonyms stem and flow 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 flow
Verb
After dark, back at the port, Deste threw a free celebration: islanders and visitors danced to live bands on a stage as wine, beer, and ouzo flowed, and souvlaki sandwiches were handed out to all and sundry. —Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025 Controversy over Gas Emissions Not surprisingly, the oil industry and some scientists were not happy with Howarth’s findings and the vitriol began to flow, questioning his credibility and motives. —Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
Pulmonary Embolism This can cause shortness of breath because a blood clot blocks one or more lung arteries, reducing blood flow and oxygen exchange. —Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025 The store is designed with an easy flow of boutiques, each housing different day and evening clothes and accessories, from Zara’s more sophisticated ready-to-wear and tailored looks, to the brand’s trendy and casual styles. —David Moin, Footwear News, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
  1. stream
  2. drift
  3. flood
  4. pour
  5. glide
  6. inflow
  7. sail
  8. torrent
Verb
  • The highest tier, which is $20.99 a month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Here’s the new logo: The move comes follows WBD framing its streaming business as its growth engine in its first-quarter 2025 earnings report last week, beating Wall Street expectations.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Definition of stream
Verb
  • Rebalance Regularly Over time, your portfolio may drift from your original allocation due to market movements.
    — Francis Gingras Roy, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • But the bullpen has drifted to the bottom third of the league thanks to a series of changes from last year, none bigger than Hoffman’s signing in Toronto.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Definition of drift
Noun
  • Flooding was reported in several states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, and flood watches were issued Wednesday in all of them.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Similarly, floods might be due to a broken pipe, but are more often caused by storms, heavy rain, and spring meltwater.
    — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Meanwhile, industrial policy made a comeback as Western governments poured billions into subsidy programs to build strategic capabilities at home.
    — Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
  • From that time on, almost every startup is AI-focused, venture capital has poured millions into this technology, and most forward-thinking and innovative companies want to implement AI into their workflows and operations.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Definition of pour
Verb
  • The formula glides on without tugging or feathering, and hydrates with jojoba, shea, and coconut oils.
    — Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 18 May 2025
  • Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Definition of glide
Noun
  • The inflow was largely driven by institutional investors rather than retail investors, said Nomura’s Goto.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • Detailed forecasting of both inflows and outflows—something family offices prioritize as much as return generation.
    — Thierry Brunel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Definition of inflow
Verb
  • McGriff — the poster boy for the Clean Sluggers of America — sailed in unanimously.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Winners sail to blue oceans instead, creating uncontested market space where competition becomes irrelevant.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Definition of sail
Noun
  • The company has been grappling with a historic cyberattack, higher-than-expected medical costs and a torrent of public blowback after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • The Big Picture Want to catch up on the recent torrent of news?
    — Rebecca Dzombak, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Definition of torrent

Phrases Containing flow

Browse Nearby Words

flouts
flow
flowed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on flow

Nglish: Translation of flow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All