spring 1 of 2

Definition of springnext

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

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
Holi is celebrated at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month of Falgun. ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 People often start yard cleanup too early in spring, says Clay Bolt, Manager of Pollinator Conservation for World Wildlife Fund-US. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar stumbled, springing a 2-on-1 break with Boldy feeding a cross-ice pass to Marcus Johansson, whose wrist shot hit the left post, then got a piece of the goalie before a Colorado defender swatted it away from the goalmouth. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026 Teens can give back to their community and earn service time on Tuesday night by helping to spring clean the library. Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • That means top wideouts and running backs will be running the 40-yard dash and measuring their vertical leaps.
    Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
  • From the porch of the neighboring Beacon Hotel, elderly residents scream in horror and leap from aluminum beach chairs for cover.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • An Israeli source confirmed Khamenei's death to USA TODAY.
    Anthony Shoemaker, The Columbus Dispatch, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Newsweek partners with Statista to analyze four types of data sources to select and rank the best hospitals in 32 countries with comparable data.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Emails alleging violations started arriving to City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos before the semifinals.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, suggested the possible advantage was only worth a few horsepower — not the few tenths of a second some rivals had feared — and that other teams were potentially looking for excuses before the season had even started.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Brent futures, the global oil benchmark, jumped another 6% to $82 a barrel, per FactSet data.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Don’t jump to conclusions — not about yourself nor anyone else.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea have followed that path while spending on transfers at an unprecedented level, last season recording the highest pre-tax loss in English football history (£342m), according to data released by UEFA on Thursday.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Buffalo Police had no updates Friday, but on Thursday released body-camera footage of the 2025 incident that led to Shah Alam being jailed for a year.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Dave became the first two-time winner of hip hop/grime/rap act.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Business executives could make a quick hop between a meeting at a Boca Raton golf course and be back for dinner on Miami Beach.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For Atlanta — often called the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement — the moment lands with particular weight.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • This becomes both a test of Vernice’s loyalty and an opportunity to reaffirm her virtue as a woman who just wants to help out her cradle-friend.
    Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The tour begins on March 6, 2026, with a stop at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The products opened up a week of product launches on Monday, as Apple begins what looks to be a broader multi-day hardware push.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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