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spring

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb spring differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spring are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of spring?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When is it sensible to use derive instead of spring?

In some situations, the words derive and spring are roughly equivalent. However, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

Where would emanate be a reasonable alternative to spring?

While in some cases nearly identical to spring, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When might issue be a better fit than spring?

Although the words issue and spring have much in common, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for spring?

The meanings of originate and spring largely overlap; however, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When could proceed be used to replace spring?

The synonyms proceed and spring are sometimes interchangeable, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

In what contexts can stem take the place of spring?

While the synonyms stem and spring are close in meaning, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 spring
Noun
Get the normally overrun streets of Venice all to yourself by visiting in the spring or fall. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025 Taylor Patterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said the National Weather Service issues frost and freeze warnings in the spring and fall seasons for farmers and horticulturalists to protect any sensitive vegetation. Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
George’s orange cat, Saskia, had sprung through the window from the garden. David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 But that hidden virus is capable of springing back into action. NPR, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • Several leading automakers are investing in solid-state batteries as the next potential leap for electric vehicles.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Any group decision comes with a degree of acquiescence and a leap of faith.
    David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As various ancient sources recount, after Achilles is killed by Paris, the Greeks resort to deception.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In the midst of tragedy came a small offering of knowledge from an unsuspecting source.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tickets for Sting's show start at $750 apiece.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Twin with Stone and add a brown suede jacket to your fall capsule wardrobe with similar styles on Amazon, starting at $35.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Melissa rapidly intensified, jumping from a 70 mph tropical storm on Saturday morning to a 140 mph Category 4 hurricane Sunday morning.
    Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Net income jumped, coming in at $35 billion, a 33% increase.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An internal investigation by Kenvue Brands LLC, the company that owns Neutrogena, revealed the brand’s Makeup Remover Ultra-Soft Cleansing Towelettes tested positive for a bacteria known as pluralibacter gergoviae, per information released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The White House did not release the size of the donations for all 37 listed.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Bluesy is a dancer and appeared to take both ballet and hip hop classes in the past, per her mom's social media.
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • That’s because, according to the publication, for the first time since 1990, there is no hip hop in the Top 40 of the Billboard 100 chart.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The same technology’s feasibility should also be assessed under different climate zones, and full life cycle assessments (cradle-to-grave) of GS are a necessity for a better understanding of the technology’s merits and limits, researchers noted.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The town is also the cradle of the popular Mexican Tecate beer and boasts remarkable natural landscapes.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Poetry is a feeling worth getting down, a process that begins with attending and listening.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The offseason begins in earnest now that the Los Angeles Dodgers defended their title by beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Saturday night’s epic Game 7.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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