spring 1 of 2

spring

2 of 2

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
Pittman mentioned Blake, Brown, Harrison and Sharpe as some of the more vocal leaders in the group, which might require more sorting than any other spot in spring. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 31 July 2025 Another 18 months or so later, in spring 2024, Conrad rounded up a bundle of musicians at Nashville’s Sound Stage to cut Carmichael’s Keepin’ Country Alive album, coincidentally including Wilson on drums. Tom Roland, Billboard, 31 July 2025
Verb
Typically, when there’s a serious crime in either town, both police departments spring into action to help each other. Vicky Ward, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 On the day of the session, Satcher dressed Instagram-ready as if the superstar would spring an impromptu photoshoot of behind-the-scenes footage of their work. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • That’s why most companies get stuck, stall out, or take years to make the leap.
    Scott Woody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • This month is all about going with your instincts and taking a leap of faith.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The team looked into Alexander, but never made an offer to the Charlotte native, a league source told The Observer in June.
    Mike Kaye July 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • He’s set to start the All-Star Game in right field on Tuesday night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2025
  • As the Pentagon was opening up, Palmer Luckey got fired from Facebook and started Anduril.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • However, following the July 17 announcement, the first week of new shows (July 21-24) for The Late Show jumped to average 1 million households.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Those searches jumped to 2.2 million during the first 30 days of the 2016 campaign after the list was published.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The Nikki & Brie Show, a Sirius XM podcast, releases new episodes on Mondays and Wednesdays.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Weak jobs Just hours after the new tariff rates were announced, the Friday jobs report was released.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Much of what Black culture portrayed is connected to hip hop or struggle culture.
    Sonia Thompson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Teens sparked the aesthetic, part skater, part punk, part hip hop star, which college kids soon remixed by layering streetwear with campus-specific staples.
    Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images Tropical rainforests are the cradle of life on Earth—and the world's lungs.
    Juan Carlos Navarro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Since beginning science operations in July 2022, JWST has transformed our understanding of the universe, from spotting the earliest galaxies yet to probing exoplanets and cradles of newborn stars.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The Red Sox are competitive this season, but their World Series window is only just beginning to open.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • And with this email begins a journey through so much of what Nashville has to offer.
    Benjamin Goad, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!