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flow

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noun

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
From ultrasounds to spacesuit assembly, Earth observations and monitoring blood flow, the seven members of the second half of Expedition 73 were kept busy this week aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2025 These include slowed blood flow (venous stasis), vessel wall injury (endothelial damage) and thickened blood (hypercoagulability). Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
The money flows mostly from public sources: HUD Section 8 subsidies, tax-exempt bonds, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Layla Law-Gisiko, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025 Aaron is pretty good as this, and the money is flowing in. Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
Verb
  • Winter Spring Summer Or Fall is coming soon to streaming on Paramount+ Premium.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Listen to the episode Listen to Valley 101 on your favorite podcast app or stream the full episode below.
    Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The ball drifted toward the warning crack in right-center when Lee slid to try to make the dive.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Earlier Tuesday, a flood advisory was in effect for northeast Illinois including Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties, officials said.
    Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Extreme heat, droughts, and floods reduce agricultural output, pushing up food prices and straining supply chains.
    Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Louisville Metro Government has poured millions into combating the growing housing and homelessness crisis in the city, with $58 million projected to be spent on the downtown Community Care Campus, which will house a family emergency shelter, medical care spaces and behavioral health services.
    Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The loup de mer is crisp-skinned over eggplant caviar, roasted sweet peppers, tomato confit, and basil, finished with a saffron bouillon poured to order.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Amenities: Indoor pool, spa, bar, fitness center, on-site restaurant, sauna, bike rental Bonus Tip: Guests can glide along the canals aboard the hotel’s classic tea-and-mahogany saloon boat, which dates to 1924.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2025
  • The pebbled leather is supple and has a nice texture, but your mouse will glide over it effortlessly.
    Henri Robbins, Wired News, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Reclamation measures the river's water levels using inflow into Lake Powell.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The column charts show the weekly net inflows for bitcoin ETFs and Etherium ETFs from January through August 2025.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The cruise was intended to sail in November from Miami to Mexico—until artists like Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice pulled their performances.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Passengers sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas shouldn’t ever find themselves in a state of boredom while traveling aboard the world’s largest cruise ship.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Rain, however, ended it after 3½ innings, barring it from being recognized as official. 2004: A tour bus for the Dave Matthews Band passing over the Chicago River unleashed a torrent of foul-smelling waste onto a tour boat below.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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