spring 1 of 2

Definition of springnext

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

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
Stephen Hayes Dacus became Seven & i's CEO last spring. ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 Below, check out more of the best hummingbird feeder deals for spring bird watching. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
The defenseman made a nice move to protect it from a swooping Anthony Cirelli and then sprung Geekie for a clean breakaway. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2026 Nathan Byrd, 18, sprung into action after his younger brother alerted him to the blaze at his neighbor’s home, NBC affiliate WRAL-TV reported. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • This is about the leap toward specificity, to diving below the surface of the most broadly appealing, easy-to-synthesize dishes — the ones, from any nation’s cuisine, that rarely make their way into restaurant repertoires.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • And an unlikely leap to the second seed would give the Knicks home-court advantage in a potential second-round matchup against the Celtics.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The draft footprint itself, including both sides of the Allegheny River, can only hold a little more than a football stadium, the source said, roughly 80,00 to 90,000 people.
    Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Ahead of its release, Humberstone sat down with PEOPLE to discuss her source of inspiration.
    Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On the first Saturday of Coachella, Justin Bieber started his concert by looking down at a camera on the floor of the stage.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
  • McDermott made one start for the Orioles in 2024 and four appearances in 2025.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • By the end of 2024, the indictment count would jump to sixty-three.
    Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Even in the oil market, where prices jumped above $100 per barrel after ceasefire talks over the weekend failed to end the war, prices pared their leaps as Monday progressed.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If Bluey uses a wand of asparagus to transform her father into a walrus, her father will behave exactly like a walrus until released from the spell.
    Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed just one of the deaths Friday evening, but did not release the identity.
    William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Bar-hop between venues to experience different bands and energy levels as the night builds.
    Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Bar hop to experience different bands and energy levels as the night builds.
    Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • If accurate, those findings might hint that the shroud is indeed from the Levant, an area considered to have been the cradle of Christianity and the setting of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
    Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Freemasons in the cradle of liberty Philadelphia was the country’s political center during the American Revolution, which began in 1775.
    Derek Arnold, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In corporate news, luxury conglomerate and industry bellwether LVMH reported quarterly sales that missed expectations on Monday as the sector begins to decipher the fallout from the war in the Middle East and its impact on stocks.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Rumors of a feud began when Cooper's Unwell network dropped Earle's Hot Mess podcast in February 2025.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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