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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Jake made leaps in high school, twice becoming an All-State player and a four-star recruiting prospect.
—Mirin Fader, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Even though recognition for the 6-foot-9 Hassan is growing by leaps and bounds, coach Ernie Colombe feels Hassan deserves more respect as a double-double machine for the Knights.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The outdoor temperature when the first round of swimmers took their leaps was about 35 degrees.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
The novel continues across three more time leaps, to the near-present.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
That progress was far more limited than the leaps forward by Nvidia (+39%) and other players in the AI race, which drove stock markets to new records.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Those developments are sure to capitalize on this past year’s advancements by making more important leaps in 2026.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 30 Dec. 2025
The boy quickly ascends the interior staircase, rushes into the corridor and clears the steps to the garret in three leaps.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
And then there’s that line about wishing you were here to see it, which leaps from his throat like a cry for help.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026
Creative play brightens, and feelings gently soften as the Moon leaps into your 5th House of Affection.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Eleven leaps into the body of the beast and severs Vecna’s connection to the Mind Flayer, sparking a psychic battle between the two.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 4 Jan. 2026
The heart leaps every now and then to hear some hot rod out there, or some motorcycle roaring late at night in glorious, mortal disregard.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And in Ackie’s hands, Nasha leaps off the page and dazzles on screen.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
Brigitte Bardot's magnetic beauty leaps off the screen in her film Le Mépris.
—Alexandre Marain, Glamour, 28 Dec. 2025
On Christmas Eve, Santa eats a jolly roll and leaps into his sleigh.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
Lenovo came out all guns blazing at CES 2026, using its biggest global stage yet to signal major leaps across devices, AI, and partnerships.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Jake made leaps in high school, twice becoming an All-State player and a four-star recruiting prospect.
—Mirin Fader, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Even though recognition for the 6-foot-9 Hassan is growing by leaps and bounds, coach Ernie Colombe feels Hassan deserves more respect as a double-double machine for the Knights.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The outdoor temperature when the first round of swimmers took their leaps was about 35 degrees.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
The novel continues across three more time leaps, to the near-present.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2025
That progress was far more limited than the leaps forward by Nvidia (+39%) and other players in the AI race, which drove stock markets to new records.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Those developments are sure to capitalize on this past year’s advancements by making more important leaps in 2026.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 30 Dec. 2025
The boy quickly ascends the interior staircase, rushes into the corridor and clears the steps to the garret in three leaps.
—Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
In the video, the cat quickly leaps off the stove after turning on a burner, which ignited the items sitting on top.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
And then there’s that line about wishing you were here to see it, which leaps from his throat like a cry for help.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2026
Creative play brightens, and feelings gently soften as the Moon leaps into your 5th House of Affection.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Eleven leaps into the body of the beast and severs Vecna’s connection to the Mind Flayer, sparking a psychic battle between the two.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 4 Jan. 2026
The heart leaps every now and then to hear some hot rod out there, or some motorcycle roaring late at night in glorious, mortal disregard.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
And in Ackie’s hands, Nasha leaps off the page and dazzles on screen.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
Brigitte Bardot's magnetic beauty leaps off the screen in her film Le Mépris.
—Alexandre Marain, Glamour, 28 Dec. 2025
On Christmas Eve, Santa eats a jolly roll and leaps into his sleigh.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaps
Noun
-
All Alpine races will be held on the Pista Stelvio, a slick, difficult World Cup course known for its dramatic jumps and steep (60%) gradient.—
Catherine Sabino,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Premiums for the benchmark Affordable Care Act plan soared 26%, on average, one of the biggest jumps since the Obamacare plans debuted more than a decade ago.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Video of the incident posted by SBS Sport showed Vine and other cyclists on the ground as the kangaroo hops across the road, trying to avoid a throng of competitors.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaps. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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