as in hops
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leaps
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The musical’s score by Ingrid Michaelson isn’t traditionally melodic, with big leaps from note to note that can easily strain a singer’s voice.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Even in the oil market, where prices jumped above $100 per barrel after ceasefire talks over the weekend failed to end the war, prices pared their leaps as Monday progressed.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The Patriots could, technically, go into the season with Jones and Landry as starters and hope for second-year leaps out of Ponder and Swinson, but that feels incredibly risky.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Many of them relied on courageous individuals who have taken leaps of faith and shared information, sometimes at real personal risk.
—Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Bernie wowed the CSF team with his spins, leaps and easygoing charm around people.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The profit model might look a little fuzzy today, but investors in the most promising tech IPOs are used to taking big leaps of faith.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Season 3 leaps forward five years, aging its characters out of high school and into a much murkier version of adulthood.
—Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Through flashbacks and leaps ahead in time, fragmentation and fantasy scenes, the film simulates complexity while endowing its characters with mere crumbs of knowledge and experience.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
China leaps ahead The recent curtailing of rapid EV expansion in the United States is in stark contrast with China and Europe, where EVs enjoy robust consumer demand and political support.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
Romeo leaps to his feet and embraces Juliet, both of them saved; Juliet-as-an-old-woman appears and dances with Romeo as an older Romeo does the same with Juliet; Romeo and Juliet dote over a baby that will never be born.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Another young girl, Maria Antonia’s best friend, leaps out of her desk to wrap her arms around her.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In the corner of one of Amsterdam's most elegant 17th-century canal houses, a cheetah leaps from an antique tabernacle.
—Karen Burshtein, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
Lancaster guard Journee Hampton (12), left, leaps to take possession of a loose ball during first half action against Austin Westlake.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Earlier in the day, Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams hosted a colorful kickoff session to Canva Create that highlighted the big leaps forward that the platform has taken over the past year amid the fast evolution of generative AI tech and tools.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
The musical’s score by Ingrid Michaelson isn’t traditionally melodic, with big leaps from note to note that can easily strain a singer’s voice.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Even in the oil market, where prices jumped above $100 per barrel after ceasefire talks over the weekend failed to end the war, prices pared their leaps as Monday progressed.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The Patriots could, technically, go into the season with Jones and Landry as starters and hope for second-year leaps out of Ponder and Swinson, but that feels incredibly risky.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Her 3-point shooting has jumped leaps and bounds from the early part of her college career.
—Matthew Coller, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Many of them relied on courageous individuals who have taken leaps of faith and shared information, sometimes at real personal risk.
—Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Bernie wowed the CSF team with his spins, leaps and easygoing charm around people.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The profit model might look a little fuzzy today, but investors in the most promising tech IPOs are used to taking big leaps of faith.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
My particular focus on textbooks and curricular guidelines, though, demonstrates that sometimes, knowledge gaps lead to leaps forward.
—Daniela R. P. Weiner, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Season 3 leaps forward five years, aging its characters out of high school and into a much murkier version of adulthood.
—Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Through flashbacks and leaps ahead in time, fragmentation and fantasy scenes, the film simulates complexity while endowing its characters with mere crumbs of knowledge and experience.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
China leaps ahead The recent curtailing of rapid EV expansion in the United States is in stark contrast with China and Europe, where EVs enjoy robust consumer demand and political support.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026
Romeo leaps to his feet and embraces Juliet, both of them saved; Juliet-as-an-old-woman appears and dances with Romeo as an older Romeo does the same with Juliet; Romeo and Juliet dote over a baby that will never be born.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Another young girl, Maria Antonia’s best friend, leaps out of her desk to wrap her arms around her.
—Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
In the corner of one of Amsterdam's most elegant 17th-century canal houses, a cheetah leaps from an antique tabernacle.
—Karen Burshtein, Time, 12 Mar. 2026
Lancaster guard Journee Hampton (12), left, leaps to take possession of a loose ball during first half action against Austin Westlake.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
-
But what started as modest increases turned into double digit jumps.—
Wire TBD,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But what started as modest increases turned into double digit jumps.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Josh is being arrested, Lindsay hops over the police barrier and passionately kisses him goodbye.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
We first encounter Anna, a bit of a hot mess who hops from one house-sitting gig to the next in New York City.—
Alexandra Jhamb Burns,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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