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
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 leaps
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
The island is enough, with its vegetable patches and firepit sheltered by dry walls at the island’s highest point; its rocky corners suitable for leaps into the sea that Antje has marked with little piles of stones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 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
The piece celebrates the music, culture and incredible leaps for humankind made during that summer, while also reminding us that our history isn’t so dissimilar from our present.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 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
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Apr. 2026
The many leaps in time to the wedding—to which Ruben shows up on a motorcycle, angry enough to knock his brother out with a single punch—consistently ratchet up the sense of dread, and the suspense over why or how these two have stayed enmeshed.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Cappello started seeing these windows come in two decades ago from overseas, where energy-efficient window technology was leaps ahead of the United States.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 21 Apr. 2026
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
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
Noun
Home prices and rents did jump – but those leaps were below national surges.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
The island is enough, with its vegetable patches and firepit sheltered by dry walls at the island’s highest point; its rocky corners suitable for leaps into the sea that Antje has marked with little piles of stones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 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
The piece celebrates the music, culture and incredible leaps for humankind made during that summer, while also reminding us that our history isn’t so dissimilar from our present.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 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
Verb
His voice leaps across the intervening years clearly and confidently.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Apr. 2026
The many leaps in time to the wedding—to which Ruben shows up on a motorcycle, angry enough to knock his brother out with a single punch—consistently ratchet up the sense of dread, and the suspense over why or how these two have stayed enmeshed.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Cappello started seeing these windows come in two decades ago from overseas, where energy-efficient window technology was leaps ahead of the United States.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 21 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
-
The last three jumps felt good.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
According to longtime draft analyst Todd McShay, who is now with The Ringer, McCoy’s 40-yard-dash and jumps were among the best in the class, a showing that will likely help solidify his spot in the first round.—
Ben Kamisar,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alix Earle takes her shoes off and hops on a mechanical bull at the Whiskey River x SipMargs event in Nashville Tennessee on April 24.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Named for the interesting seed pods that resemble hops, it is related to American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), as both are members of the birch family, but where Hophornbeam prefers upland soils, Hornbeam prefers floodplains.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
