spring 1 of 2

spring

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples 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
With Fubo’s lawsuit now complete, Venu has signaled intentions to launch, possibly as soon as this spring. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Harris Dickinson is the star of Prada’s spring 2025 menswear campaign. Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
When a shooter opened fire on Interstate 75, injuring five people, journalists sprung into action compiling all the scant details as the scene developed in the coming hours and days. Chris White, The Courier-Journal, 27 Dec. 2024 The plan was to swap Theodosia for the real Ynez, but the princess insisted that her beau be sprung, too, and Valya obliged. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spring 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • By the time Rockne experienced success at Notre Dame, Mormons were looking to make the final leap and squarely enter the mainstream.
    Hunter M. Hampton / Made by History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Natalie isn’t afraid to take risks and is ready now more than ever to take a leap of faith to find the picture-perfect love she’s been looking for.
    Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, this late-stage move risks turning a critical national security priority into a source of division.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Filming began in May 1972 and took several years to complete, largely because of funding issues (the money came from a variety of sources, including grants, loans from Lynch’s father and friends, including Sissy Spacek, and even Lynch’s own paper route).
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The reason is because crane recovery has been so effective that the birds are starting to be nuisances.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Key Facts SpaceX has scheduled to launch Starship from Boca Chica, Texas, at around 5 p.m. EST, with a livestream starting at about 4:15 p.m. on SpaceX’s X account and website.
    Ty Roush, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Before jumping into it, make sure to do a dynamic warm-up (like these two that feature bodyweight versions of the key movement patterns) to get your muscles primed and ready for the work ahead.
    Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 14 Jan. 2025
  • But from December 2020 to December 2021, the median home value jumped from $371,560 to $433,999.
    Andrew DePietro, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One has since been released from custody, and the other was returned to jail.
    Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • The song appeared on Fear of a Black Planet, released in 1990, during hip-hop’s golden age.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Rostam 36 balances its hops’ bitterness with the addition of orange blossoms, whose floral taste frequently appears in Persian entrees and desserts.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
  • And Sacramento flights take off two days earlier, departing the California capital at 9 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for the five-hour hop to Orlando.
    Edward Russell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Next, a person not in these rows, playing the Superman or Supergirl, jumps and dives into this cradle.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • It is known for being the cradle of several advanced pre-Hispanic (or pre-Columbian) civilizations.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But as the newspaper industry began to change, there were those who believed these keyboard kings had become too big and too important.
    Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The Whites and Skaggs also began performing often together, with Skaggs introducing the group to new audiences.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near spring

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spring

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!