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
Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Following the launch of Apple's M-series laptops in 2020, laptop battery life has improved by leaps and bounds as others rushed to catch up.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
As the United States and China make leaps forward in high‑tech sectors such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, many of Europe’s brightest startups are choosing to set up shop elsewhere, frustrated by the lack of funding.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Although he's known for his physics-breaking maneuvers on the ice, Malinin's love life has fans doing leaps (of logic) of their own.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
March Madness is growing leaps and bounds.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Coltrane was an obscure journeyman when Davis, who’d already played a key role in several evolutionary jazz leaps, hired him in 1955 to join his quintet.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Taking advantage of a wartime business boom, Japan took leaps forward as a capitalist country.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
Then Shep leaps into bed with Austen, practically spooning him and draping his legs over the big muppet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Their experience will help pave the way for even greater lunar leaps.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Following the launch of Apple's M-series laptops in 2020, laptop battery life has improved by leaps and bounds as others rushed to catch up.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
As the United States and China make leaps forward in high‑tech sectors such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, many of Europe’s brightest startups are choosing to set up shop elsewhere, frustrated by the lack of funding.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Although he's known for his physics-breaking maneuvers on the ice, Malinin's love life has fans doing leaps (of logic) of their own.
—Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
March Madness is growing leaps and bounds.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Star has grown by leaps and bounds the past decade and a half.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Coltrane was an obscure journeyman when Davis, who’d already played a key role in several evolutionary jazz leaps, hired him in 1955 to join his quintet.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Taking advantage of a wartime business boom, Japan took leaps forward as a capitalist country.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
Then Shep leaps into bed with Austen, practically spooning him and draping his legs over the big muppet.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a cult classic 1976 film, The Bill Koch Experience, the star slaloms at perilous speed through low brush, dodges cows in a pasture, and also leaps off a boulder, only to tumble.
—Bill Donahue, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
-
Skiers still hit the jumps and fly through the air off the multiple ski jumps in a way that connects generations.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Do quick, small jumps using mostly your ankles, landing each time softly with a tiny bend in the knees.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As spring continues to make its attempt at remaining in the Sioux Falls area, Easter hops up with local egg hunts, basket giveaways, Easter candy and goodies and of course, the long-eared, fluffy holiday icon of the hour, the Easter Bunny.—
Vanessa Carlson Bender,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The 24-year-old had hops to put the finishing touches on the Lakers’ successful six-game trip.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
