leap 1 of 2

noun

Definition of leapnext
as in jump
an act of leaping into the air the horse cleared the hurdle with a tremendous leap

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

leap

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēp How to pronounce leap (audio)
as in to jump
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air the outfielder leaped into the air to catch the ball before it went over the fence

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 leap
Noun
Cook County commissioners are looking to take a digital leap to help protect residents’ data from the grasp of immigration enforcement agents. — Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Buying any type of bed online already takes a leap of faith, but mattresses-in-a-box can feel like any even more confusing sub-category. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
But the ending hints at the possibility that the spirit of Jason may have leapt into the youngster. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson, listed at 6-6, and Miami safety Bryce Fitzgerald, listed at 6-1, leaped for the ball. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leap
  1. jump
  2. hop
Noun
  • The latest figures, released in April and based mostly on 2024 data, actually reflect a slowdown from earlier jumps.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of CrowdStrike and Palo Alto are on pace for weekly jumps of more than 10%.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Sasha awakens to a note that says Morgan has hopped on an earlier flight home.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The bed and passenger sides were cordoned off, but the driver-side door was open so shoppers could hop in and check out the interior.
    — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of hop

Phrases Containing leap

Browse Nearby Words

lean (toward or towards)
leap
leaped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leap. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All