FLOWS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

flows 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flow

as in streams

to move in a stream water was flowing over the dam at a tremendous rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in glides

to move or proceed smoothly and readily as everyone relaxed, the conversation really started to flow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flows

2 of 2

noun

plural of flow

as in floods

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 flows

Verb

While oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have largely recovered, the cost to get that crude out has skyrocketed because of expensive and inefficient workarounds being used. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 While several leaders in my survey described stagnant information flows as an impediment to responding to overlapping disruptions, a few also reported tackling internal communications as a way to deal with polycrisis. — Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Nearly half of revenue, 48% in the first half, flows through the cloud marketplaces of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, which also accounted for 58% of the company’s net receivables. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 Despite the persistent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East oil flows through the vital strait have recovered to near pre‑war levels according to Kpler. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 The Little Wicomico River flows into the Chesapeake Bay at the Potomac River, along the Virginia-Maryland border. — Renee Anderson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 But there's still plant life to be found, especially around the Hoanib River, an ephemeral river that only flows on the surface following heavy rain—though water persists underground both in the river and in springs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 The kitchen flows to the laundry room and attached two-car garage. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Meltwater from the mountain’s glaciers and thawing permafrost flows down through ancient channels, fueling the great rivers and soaking into these sprawling boglands. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

About 20% of the world's oil flows throw the strait, and Iran's ability to block the flow of tankers has roiled the global economy, sending oil prices soaring. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flows

Verb

The original series streams on Hulu, and songs from Glee draw about 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
The show, which won six Emmys including for Murphy and Lynch as well as guest stars such as Neil Patrick Harris and Gwyneth Paltrow, currently streams on Hulu.

— Peter White, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of streams

Verb

When my skin is this smooth and even-toned, my makeup glides without a hitch, without a pill or skip in sight.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
The 2026 Best of Beauty winner has a milky texture that glides over skin and a nine-ingredient formula that keeps things uncomplicated.

— Sheryl George, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of glides

Noun

Even short periods of moderate rain on severe burn scars can unleash post-fire floods.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Lessons from Corpus Christi In Corpus Christi, recent floods have delayed the city's water emergency until 2028, buying leaders there some time.

— Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of floods

Verb

To begin her drawings, Trouvé pours bleach onto blank sheets of industrial colored paper.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
All Star point guard Kyrie Irving pours in 50 points, setting a new NBA record for points on debut with a new team as his Brooklyn Nets go down 127-126 at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of pours

Verb

His attention drifts towards intimate details – the bare armpit, the small hollow at the base of Rafael’s neck – and the music follows him into this increasingly private, almost obsessive fascination.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Filmed largely in natural daylight, the film drifts between still, unhurried, panning shots to evoke not only the spiritual energy that keeps the temples humming but also a world in slow, gradual decay.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of drifts

Noun

There was also a time when leadership halted, then resumed, downloading torrents sourced from Anna’s Archive, another staffer testified.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
Few of her words survived the torrents of sound in which they were immersed; as with certain Grouper recordings, the lyrics emerged as texture more than syntax.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of torrents

Noun

Minor tidal overflows, especially during the late morning high tides.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The governor’s office said the state was securing its harbors, deploying emergency personnel to strategic locations and monitoring dams for any possible breaches or overflows.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026