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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
This helps with water flow, letting the roots absorb nutrients properly. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025 Those enormous sums of money flow to seemingly everyone except the student athletes. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
Benefits for the federal nutrition program supporting women, infants, and children, also known as WIC, are flowing as usual for the time being, but they are projected to run dry in a matter of weeks. Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025 The extended season now can flow into mid-January — when transfers ideally would be enrolling at their new school. Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
Verb
  • At the time of the raid, video circulating online shows Shams was interrupted while he live-streamed on WhatNot, an online auction platform.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Episodes stream the next-day on HBO Max and discovery+.
    Ana Calderone, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rappelers dangle from the steel arch, thrill-seekers race across a zip line, and spectators cheer as colorful parachutes drift overhead.
    Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Margit and Bonnie drifted further into Pam’s orbit and decided not to speak to Catherine, which made the lunchroom newly problematic.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Life-changing weather events like the 1998 tornadoes, the 2010 flood and 2020 tornadoes.
    Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Residents in rural Lapel are seeing brown water pouring from their kitchen and bathroom taps.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Inside the speakeasy, Stewart got behind the bar and poured shots.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On third-and-11 in the first quarter, Iamaleava spotted a sliver of daylight that wasn’t there a blink before and turned it into a 22-yard jailbreak up the gut, gliding past white jerseys.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The simplicity is intentional so your eye isn't bouncing, but rather gliding through the room.
    Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Sustained inflows into long-term muni funds could strengthen returns, although the timing is uncertain.
    Paul Malloy, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
  • According to China’s balance of payment data, net foreign direct investment plummeted from peak inflows of $334 billion in 2021 to outflows of nearly $154 billion in 2024, according to Chinese data provider Wind.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wonder of the Seas returned to Miami in August to sail three and four-night cruises year-round, for example.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Many cruise lines sail from Florida to the Bahamas, but more offerings are in the works.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Real estate agents in Westchester, directly north of the city’s border, say the torrent began shortly after Mamdani’s surprise win in the Democratic primary in June.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The death of Banda Amidst the torrents, Arisu follows the sound of Usagi’s voice, as they are both swept towards a watery vortex that leads to the world of the dead.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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