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
Charlotte has come out of hibernation, and with it, festival season has sprung. Driving the news: No Man's Land, a festival celebrating women and women entrepreneurs, is taking place along Camden Road in South End from 11am-5pm today. —Mckenzie Rankin, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025 Spring has officially sprung — and the weekend will be seasonally breezy and balmy before a few Sunday night sprinkles. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 21 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
  • Creating a carbon copy of the original could attract criticism for being lazy and superfluous whereas straying too far from the source material could alienate fans.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Other sources say red No. 40 and yellow No. 5 and No. 6 contain or may be contaminated with known carcinogens.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of source
Verb
  • Spencer Torkelson, who was rumored to start the season at Triple-A, homered in the top of the seventh to draw Detroit within one run.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Business is business Trump hasn’t exactly walked on eggshells with the people of Europe since starting his second term.
    — Vanessa Gera and Kerstin Sopke, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of start
Verb
  • Express is a very polished and well-featured product that lets users jump straight into just about any digital design task, but it’s particularly suited to small businesses or independent content creators.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Health insurers — Health-care stocks jumped after The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the Trump administration will increase payment rates for Medicare insurers to 5.06% next year, compared to the 2.23% increase proposed by the Biden administration.
    — Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • The successful sophomore effort came two years after the band — which consists of singer and lead guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andrew Hurley — released their debut album, Take This to Your Grave, in May 2003.
    — Angela Andaloro, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • According to authorities, González will be released for a one-year stay of removal under check-ins with immigration officials.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 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
  • The Steelers' six Super Bowl titles, and the region's reputation as a cradle for Hall of Famers, have been built on franchise QBs.
    — Ryan Deto, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Within a few paces is the entrance to Highbury Square, the apartment complex constructed on the footprint that was once the sacred cradle of Arsenal.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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 12 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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