flow 1 of 2

verb

ˈflō How to pronounce flow (audio)
Definition of flownext
1
as in to stream
to move in a stream water was flowing over the dam at a tremendous rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drift
to move or proceed smoothly and readily as everyone relaxed, the conversation really started to flow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flow

2 of 2

noun

as in flood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flow are arise, derive, emanate, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of flow?

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 might derive be a better fit than flow?

The synonyms derive and flow are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

In what contexts can emanate take the place of flow?

The meanings of emanate and flow largely overlap; however, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

When would issue be a good substitute for flow?

In some situations, the words issue and flow are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When can originate be used instead of flow?

While in some cases nearly identical to flow, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

Where would proceed be a reasonable alternative to flow?

The words proceed and flow can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is spring a more appropriate choice than flow?

The words spring and flow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace flow?

While the synonyms stem and flow 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 flow
Verb
The foyer flows into the expansive living room, which offers access to a private, shady front patio area. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025 Poetic and idealistic, your ideas flow in creative, dream-like patterns, often more abstract than realistic. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
Starmer outlined a plan to support Ukraine, including continuing the flow of aid to Ukraine and keeping up economic pressure on Russia. —David Brennan, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2025 The future depends on re-starting the once steady flow of fresh U.K. talent and tonight might just have sparked the fightback. —Mark Sutherland, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flow
  1. stream
  2. drift
  3. flood
  4. pour
  5. glide
  6. inflow
  7. sail
  8. torrent
Verb
  • All episodes of Zero Day are available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Flow is streaming on Max and available on PVOD for $19.99 for purchase and $5.99 for a 48-hour rental period.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of stream
Verb
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The outage occurred during a violent storm on the surface, which caused the ship to rapidly drift in the swells and drag the bell with it.
    — Megan McCluskey, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of drift
Noun
  • Rescinding congestion pricing’s approval now would potentially violate the Administrative Procedure Act and certainly invite a flood of legal challenges.
    — Betsy Plum, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • But Storey’s post struck a chord, garnering more than 22 million views and a flood of comments.
    — Kristen Mascia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of flood
Verb
  • The cement truck from Bakersfield arrived around 8:30 P.M. By ten-thirty, the men were pouring cement again, gluing the enormous metal straw in place.
    — Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
  • However, an Academy source poured ice cold water on Harris showing, up.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of pour
Verb
  • Where Mio’s dragon spews acid that melts metal and can glide great distances, Zoe’s can curl into a ball and use momentum to move or break objects and certain parts of the environment.
    — Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The back features a slip-on design that your foot can glide into, with no need to untie (or retie) laces .
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of glide
Noun
  • Maryland has made great strides in restoring underwater grasses in the Upper Bay, but inflows of raw sewage have to be hampering that progress.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Among the top 20 states realizing the greatest net flow of funds, calculated as federal contributions to states (inflows) less federal tax receipts from states (outflows), 14 were red states, while 13 of the bottom 20 states are blue states.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of inflow
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the ninth installment of the Outlaw Country Cruise sailed with headliners Old Crow Medicine Show.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Drake had sailed his ship from England around the bottom of the Americas and up the west coast.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of sail
Noun
  • But for those unwilling to venture out to see the movie, Forbes reported, the temptation to find leaks and torrents apparently became hard to resist.
    — Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In marrying into, then blowing the whistle on, the British monarchy, Meghan has both inspired love and hope and fangirls and been targeted with hate, including a torrent of racist, sexist abuse from the British tabloids and gross commentary from President Trump.
    — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of torrent

Phrases Containing flow

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Cite this Entry

“Flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flow. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flow

Nglish: Translation of flow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flow

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