1
as in kids
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
he earned the admiration of the neighborhood sprouts when he showed them how to make a slingshot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limbs
a branch of a main stem especially of a plant
the raspberry bushes began sending out sprouts in early spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sprouts
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
This insect's name refers to the small green caterpillars that chew holes in the foliage of cabbage and related crops such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Expect to see sprouts emerging from the soil in two to four weeks.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Fan favorites include a Teriyaki Chicken bowl with avocado and brussel sprouts and the Spicy Korean Steak bowl with bok choy.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
In New York City, crocus sprouts are beginning to line the sidewalks and the sun is staying above the horizon past dinnertime.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This is the Rangers’ hope, that the next wave of pitching will also benefit from the pair of aces so that the pitching tree sprouts branches.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Less than a mile from the historic buildings that line Pomona’s downtown square, three acres of land are populated by trees, chickens roam free among vegetable sprouts and butterflies hover over blooming flowers.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
At the park in Los Angeles, scores of people shared dinner at picnic tables covered with white tablecloths and a display of sprouts, fruit and flowers.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
Brassicas, including broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, are often targeted by cabbage loopers, which can riddle their leaves with holes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
This insect's name refers to the small green caterpillars that chew holes in the foliage of cabbage and related crops such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Expect to see sprouts emerging from the soil in two to four weeks.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Fan favorites include a Teriyaki Chicken bowl with avocado and brussel sprouts and the Spicy Korean Steak bowl with bok choy.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
In New York City, crocus sprouts are beginning to line the sidewalks and the sun is staying above the horizon past dinnertime.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This is the Rangers’ hope, that the next wave of pitching will also benefit from the pair of aces so that the pitching tree sprouts branches.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Less than a mile from the historic buildings that line Pomona’s downtown square, three acres of land are populated by trees, chickens roam free among vegetable sprouts and butterflies hover over blooming flowers.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
At the park in Los Angeles, scores of people shared dinner at picnic tables covered with white tablecloths and a display of sprouts, fruit and flowers.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprouts
Noun
-
If kids are in your world, plan a game that includes them.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
All kids are really good kids, but these are good kids.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As a bare stage swiftly gets dressed in black curtains framing its sides, rumblings fester in the dance ensemble’s torsos and limbs; Danker’s music becomes increasingly driving, propulsive (and painfully loud—an issue that persists through most of the evening).—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
That’s part of the lip-smacking quality of it all — the idea that certain movie characters deserve to have their limbs bitten off.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Minibars feature a custom bourbon blend from local distillery Jacob Rieger & Company, a thoughtful touch that roots the experience in Missouri.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Marry, have children, and provide for them; attend church on Sundays, find your moral footing, and give generously to a community that shares your values.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Fusco noted that even though the cuts are for non-teaching staff, children—especially the most vulnerable—will be affected.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
We’re called upon to support everything from large corporate activations to brand pop-ups, runway shows to editorial shoots.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
For her part, during her first term Bass has streamlined some processes and, in May 2025, issued a directive which required city departments to make iconic city properties like the Griffith Observatory more accessible and affordable for shoots by cutting review timelines and lowering certain fees.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This variety is heat-tolerant and typically ripens later in summer, from July to August, says McCabe.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The skin ripens to bright yellow with green stripes, and the flesh has a pink hue.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Virginia bluebell buds are also unfolding into pink dangling flowers.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Prune off spent flowers to encourage new buds.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers have proposed several explanations, such as the fact that Black women have higher rates of fibroids—noncancerous growths that can interfere with embryo implantation, the delicate process by which an embryo burrows into the uterine lining and stays there.—
Sarah Elizabeth Richards,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
-
To achieve their audacious goals, the fish use hook-like growths on the undersides of both their pectoral and pelvic fins to push themselves upward.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprouts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprouts. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
