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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
When 'recession' returns as a selling point Recession fears were heating up this spring as President Donald Trump rolled out a slate of tariffs in early April. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025 The Badgers countered by signing ex-Missouri State starter Lance Mason during the spring window. The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Over two legs, Donnarumma was magnificent, first standing tall in a one-v-one against Leandro Trossard in the first leg, then springing down to his left through a crowded penalty area to claw away Martin Odegaard’s strike in the second leg. Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025 Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will honor the soldiers who sprang into action to stop the suspect, who has been identified as Sgt. Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spring
Noun
  • Five years later, Josh Hoey, a senior out of Bishop Shanahan High School near Philadelphia, did the same, becoming the first male teenager focusing on the 800 meters to make the leap.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Not Matos specifically, but anyone from within the organization taking the same developmental leap that Heliot Ramos did in 2024.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Spirit Halloween serves as a source for Halloween costumes, as well as indoor and outdoor home decorations – a pursuit more Americans have been swept up in.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The mission: save earth’s most precious energy source, butterflies, from an evil AI bot.
    Bryan West, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • With Scheffler injured to start the season, McIlroy came out of the gates this season guns a blazing.
    Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • When big brands start calling One of the first major brands to come knocking wanted something bold for a new campaign—a way for fans to see themselves inside the action instantly.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • When is the right time to jump to firm conclusions about any player or any team?
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Britain’s holdings jumped by $48.7 billion, the most since March 2023, to $858.1 billion.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Blockbusters are released in five or six languages at once.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Speaking with the Free Press in 2021, when a remastered version of the video was released, Reeves recalled the group’s early morning shoot at the assembly plant, now known as the Rouge complex.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Japanese hop sorachi ace with its pleasing lemon verbena note can also be used.
    Em Sauter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Grammy Award-winning artist Martin will be honored with the first-ever Latin Icon Award, while hip hop veteran Rhymes will take home the inaugural MTV VMA Rock the Bells Visionary Award.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • To ensure your stand never damages your devices, look for a model with rubber or silicone padding in the phone cradle.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • In contrast to a universal system that covers everyone from cradle to grave, an employer-first system leaves huge swaths of the population uninsured.
    Sumit Agarwal, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • However, thefts began to rise again in 2023, peaking in March 2024, according to a separate analysis by HLDI.
    Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • None of the cases brought by Dominion and Smartmatic directly have yet gone to trial: Dominion’s cases against Fox and Newsmax and Smartmatic’s cases against Newsmax and OANN were all settled before trials could begin.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spring. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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