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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
Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made. Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025 The two-story design creates distinct living spaces for living, cooking, and sleeping, giving it the flow and functionality of a full-sized home. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Power has always flowed from control of the world’s essential resources. Staff, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Price increases have already been flowing to consumers. Justin Worland, Time, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
Verb
  • This allows real-time decision-making with latency under 10 milliseconds, enabling the G2 to process multiple sensor streams locally and run large-scale AI models directly on the device.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Prime Video will also stream the Play-In Tournament, before everyone joins in to host parts of the playoffs.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And if the driver starts tailgating or drifting toward your lane, move over or take the next exit.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And at other points while on the ship, the teens often wound up drifting back to the parents after spending some time without us.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The road to the more remote east trailhead frequently floods and requires a high-clearance vehicle.
    Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At night, grab a seat at the bar for a cookie and a glass of wine poured from Midwest Sad’s full bar, which also serves beer, CBD seltzers, kombucha, sodas and more.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Later, when cracks emerged after construction started and the cement had been poured, consultants who recommended covering the façade with a rubbery coating to seal the cracks were similarly dismissed.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Lego Batman can effortlessly glide from foe to foe, linking punches and kicks from one bad guy to the next.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The economic outlook hinges on the nation’s potential to stabilize amid political uncertainty and the unresolved financial crisis, which continues to impede large financial inflows and private investments.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Chinese gold ETFs saw net inflows in September, and gold futures trading volumes have spiked notably—indicating a powerful combination of household safe-haven demand and speculative trading within China itself.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Balloons in red and white dotted the sky, as the yachts with flags in the same colors sailed by.
    Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The article reported that last year, CNS , a Type 052C destroyer, sailed in an area of the ocean it had not previously operated in after completing intensive combat readiness training in the South Pacific and was preparing to return to its home port in China.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One look at the SRG landing page inspires an instant torrent of ideas on how to style each piece.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Needless to say, directing their actors through this torrent of deep feeling was its own challenge.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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