SPRING Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spring 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spring next

as in leap

an act of leaping into the air the deer gave a sudden spring and disappeared into the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

as in to start

to come into existence when it comes to love and romance, hope springs eternally

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to leap

to propel oneself upward or forward into the air the cat sprang and pounced on the mouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Marvel chief Kevin Feige expected that Hurt’s death in the spring of 2022 meant the character would be retired. —

Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2025 Nowruz, the new year celebration observed across Central Asia, has been celebrated on the spring equinox for more than 3,000 years. —

Avery Keatley, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025

Verb

Either the Chiefs’ one-man band on offense finally collapses under the weight of its lack of explosiveness, or the Eagles never spring the big run and leave Hurts overexposed against a tough defense. —

Andrew Greif, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025 Authorities said one of the trees lying on the ground suddenly sprang back to an upright position and trapped Ackerman under the base of the tree. —

Stepheny Price, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for spring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring

Noun

Previously such devices couldn't get much bigger than a centimeter or so (about a half inch), so an 18 cm-long hand is quite a leap forward.

— Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Yost will help decide which players are ready to make the leap to the majors.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025