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
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
During the first nine months of 2025 the population in solitary confinement in ICE facilities grew by leaps and bounds.
—Terry Kupers, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Their leaps and games in the frothy water made our hearts soar.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
While Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds, so have its smaller surrounding cities, as people flock to the suburbs, eager to enjoy small-town charm while staying close to the conveniences of a major metro.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Witty Nashville upstart Megan Moroney and neo-neo-soul belter Olivia Dean also released their first albums in 2023 but had large leaps into the public consciousness during the September-to-August nomination period.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2025
These kinds of comments can put a chip on a players shoulder and power them to take big leaps forward.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Two favorites, the Cavaliers and Knicks, sit atop the Eastern Conference, but that second tier has enough room to fit the Pistons, as long as one or two young guys take steps — or maybe even large leaps.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The Fool encourages leaps of faith, adventure, and openness to change.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Maddie’s Secret follows Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Swift then leaps from the painting set into more modern looks, including a flapperesque costume with a long brunette wig accompanied by a choreographed dance.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Quantum leaps Rigetti Computing logged its best day since mid-July as quantum computing stocks rallied.
—Adrian Van Hauwermeiren, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
My Lab leaps up onto a grass bench and attempts to climb higher but can’t.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
But staying employable means chasing certifications every few years as technology leaps forward.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
McCarthy’s pick-six interception leaps out as a negative play, of course, but less obvious issues surfaced around him.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The plot leaps from a slightly exaggerated take on a familiar scenario to an outlandish power struggle over an oblivious man whose own agency is increasingly beside the point.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Eighteen years later, smartphones are vastly more powerful, but each new crop offers fewer dramatic leaps in performance and features.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
During the first nine months of 2025 the population in solitary confinement in ICE facilities grew by leaps and bounds.
—Terry Kupers, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Their leaps and games in the frothy water made our hearts soar.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
While Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds, so have its smaller surrounding cities, as people flock to the suburbs, eager to enjoy small-town charm while staying close to the conveniences of a major metro.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Witty Nashville upstart Megan Moroney and neo-neo-soul belter Olivia Dean also released their first albums in 2023 but had large leaps into the public consciousness during the September-to-August nomination period.
—Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2025
These kinds of comments can put a chip on a players shoulder and power them to take big leaps forward.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Two favorites, the Cavaliers and Knicks, sit atop the Eastern Conference, but that second tier has enough room to fit the Pistons, as long as one or two young guys take steps — or maybe even large leaps.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The Fool encourages leaps of faith, adventure, and openness to change.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ralphy leaps up in shock, tumbles off the sofa, and sprints toward his owner, who is filming nearby.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Maddie’s Secret follows Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Swift then leaps from the painting set into more modern looks, including a flapperesque costume with a long brunette wig accompanied by a choreographed dance.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Quantum leaps Rigetti Computing logged its best day since mid-July as quantum computing stocks rallied.
—Adrian Van Hauwermeiren, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
My Lab leaps up onto a grass bench and attempts to climb higher but can’t.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
But staying employable means chasing certifications every few years as technology leaps forward.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
McCarthy’s pick-six interception leaps out as a negative play, of course, but less obvious issues surfaced around him.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The plot leaps from a slightly exaggerated take on a familiar scenario to an outlandish power struggle over an oblivious man whose own agency is increasingly beside the point.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
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Beginners must log at least 50 skydives or parachute jumps, and take a six-hour First Jump Course, while those wanting a deeper dive (pun intended) can opt for an intensive three-day course.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
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Then a series of jumps to touch the crossbar, followed by a wiggle to either side and a final few star jumps.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Day Two of The Run-Through’s Paris Fashion Week coverage, special guest Hamish Bowles hops in the van with Chioma and Chloe on the way to Miguel Castro Freitas’s debut at Mugler to recap a very elevated and luxurious show from The Row.—
Alexandra Di Palma,
Vogue,
3 Oct. 2025
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Thanks to the anti-slip bottom, the couch won’t shift around when your rambunctious pet hops into it.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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