Synonyms of derivative

derivative 1 of 2

adjective

as in secondary

taken or created from something original or basic

a derivative style taken from earlier painters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• secondary
• secondhand
• unoriginal
• resultant
• consequent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• basic
• fundamental
• first
• nonderivative
• primary

derivative

2 of 2

noun

di-ˈri-və-tiv 

as in derivation

something that naturally develops or is developed from something else

the whole field of industrial robots is a derivative of technology developed for the space program

Synonyms & Similar Words

• derivation
• derivate
• product
• descendant
• result
• by-product
• offshoot
• outgrowth
• reproduction
• spin-off
• consequence
• outcome
• sequel
• copy
• development
• sequence
• growth
• corollary
• aftermath
• fruit
• upshot
• denouement
• issue
• side effect
• duplicate
• repercussion
• facsimile
• replica
• aftereffect

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• source
• origin
• root
• prototype
• cause
• original
• reason
• archetype
• occasion
• determinant
• antecedent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of derivative

Adjective

Due diligence on income generation Complexity and costs are some of the biggest hurdles facing investors who want to dip into derivative income ETFs. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Op-eds have painted the president’s reverence for traditional design as mere nostalgia that will lead, inevitably, to pastiche and derivative mimicry while stifling innovation. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Noun

The merger created what was, at the time, the world’s largest derivatives market. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

But to dismiss any facet of what Barham and American Aquarium are doing as Springsteen derivative is to do a disservice to the unique perspective on life that the group brings to the table. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026