as in secondary
taken or created from something original or basic
a derivative style taken from earlier painters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derivative
Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Unlike the Air Force’s F-47, which uses an advanced adaptive-cycle engine for extended range, the F/A-XX will use a derivative powerplant.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Georges Debbas, head of EU equity derivatives at BNP Paribas, meanwhile, said there are question marks over the AI theme heading into 2026, particularly over the potential downside among firms with large investments with low returns in the sector.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derivative
Adjective
Be skeptical of that new band, The Velvet Sundown, that appeared on the streaming service with a creative backstory and derivative tracks.
—Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Unlike the Air Force’s F-47, which uses an advanced adaptive-cycle engine for extended range, the F/A-XX will use a derivative powerplant.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Crypto derivatives remain prohibited for retail investors, acknowledging that leveraged products create additional risks unsuitable for most customers.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Georges Debbas, head of EU equity derivatives at BNP Paribas, meanwhile, said there are question marks over the AI theme heading into 2026, particularly over the potential downside among firms with large investments with low returns in the sector.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derivative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derivative
Adjective
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In magnesium-bearing glass, the formation of secondary minerals slowed the dissolution, creating a dense, protective layer.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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Detroit's secondary being decimated by injuries.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bose found a stronger mathematical derivation of Planck’s law.—
Matt von Hippel,
Quanta Magazine,
23 June 2025
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Labels want systems that can not only detect direct sample reuse but also flag stylistic derivations within generative model outputs.—
Virginie Berger,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Deutsche Börse, which runs the Frankfurt Stock Exchange from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time five days a week for derivates and structured products, echoed Euronext.—
Ganesh Rao,Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
22 July 2025
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With unique enough lore and a unique style, Saxon avoids making a derivate fable.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derivative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derivative. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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