as in rambling
passing from one topic to another
we had trouble following the lecturer's leaping look at archaeological discoveries around the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in jumping
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air
the outfielder leaped into the air to catch the ball before it went over the fence
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Recent Examples of leaping
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Two plays later, Corona del Mar linebacker Cash Pearsall made a leaping interception near midfield.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Bryce Teodosio’s long fly ball landed to the back side of a leaping Outman, going for a leadoff triple in the bottom of the eighth inning.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The most fascinating part of Chaharshanbe Suri is the practice of jumping over bonfires—a ritual that involves a chant while leaping over flames to ask the fire to take away woes and offer good health and energy in its place.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Perhaps most impressive is the comedy’s nail-biting opening scene, as Matt and Jay decide to stage a publicity stunt of them leaping from the top of Toronto’s 116-story CN Tower and skydiving into a major baseball stadium, all in a foolhardy attempt to promote the band.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The background on the ’56 Clemente is an action shot of the right fielder making a leaping catch against the Forbes Field wall, complete with the billboard signage of the period.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The work is a stone arch that, rather than traversing a stream from one bank to another, stands in the water lengthwise, aligned with the rushing current, evoking a leaping salmon.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
One of the biggest pieces of news of the week came via the Seahawks’ pool report, and that’s that rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury while leaping up in a passing drill.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Kolasinki made a leaping catch in tight corner in the back corner of the end zone.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The Rams skipped across the country as a historic 10½-point favorite — biggest postseason spread in modern history — yet trudged home requiring a last-second touchdown pass from the unsinkable Matthew Stafford to a leaping Colby Parkinson.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Two plays later, Corona del Mar linebacker Cash Pearsall made a leaping interception near midfield.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
Bryce Teodosio’s long fly ball landed to the back side of a leaping Outman, going for a leadoff triple in the bottom of the eighth inning.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
But as the hype around the impending World Cup has risen month-by-month, so has the number — to 4,095 in November, leaping to 4,248 active listings in December.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The most fascinating part of Chaharshanbe Suri is the practice of jumping over bonfires—a ritual that involves a chant while leaping over flames to ask the fire to take away woes and offer good health and energy in its place.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Perhaps most impressive is the comedy’s nail-biting opening scene, as Matt and Jay decide to stage a publicity stunt of them leaping from the top of Toronto’s 116-story CN Tower and skydiving into a major baseball stadium, all in a foolhardy attempt to promote the band.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
The background on the ’56 Clemente is an action shot of the right fielder making a leaping catch against the Forbes Field wall, complete with the billboard signage of the period.
—Michael Salfino, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The work is a stone arch that, rather than traversing a stream from one bank to another, stands in the water lengthwise, aligned with the rushing current, evoking a leaping salmon.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
One of the biggest pieces of news of the week came via the Seahawks’ pool report, and that’s that rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury while leaping up in a passing drill.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Kolasinki made a leaping catch in tight corner in the back corner of the end zone.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Silver carp, in particular, are infamous for leaping out of the water when startled by boat motors, sometimes striking boaters.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaping
Adjective
-
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Howie will also need a family that understands his physical restrictions including keeping him at a lean weight, no strenuous activity, running up and down stairs or jumping up and down to limit further damage to his joints.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Saros also made several more big stops before MacKinnon tucked the puck in short side with Macklin Celebrini setting a screen by jumping.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Even a wandering horse, after all, still moves the caravan forward.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Stargazers looking to upgrade their gear should read our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, while photographers should read our guide to imaging wandering comets, along with our roundups of the top cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This romantic time-hopping saga tells the century-shifting tales of soulmates Claire and Jaime who bounce across the space-time continuum from continent to continent in a series of increasingly complex genealogical encounters as their love intensifies.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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The Step-Thru makes hopping on and off effortless, while the Step-Over offers a classic, sporty feel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaping. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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