derive

as in to understand
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information from the summit, he was able to derive his location from the position of several prominent landmarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb derive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of derive are arise, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

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

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 emanate be a better fit than derive?

In some situations, the words emanate and derive are roughly equivalent. However, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of derive?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When can issue be used instead of derive?

While in some cases nearly identical to derive, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for derive?

While the synonyms originate and derive are close in meaning, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

Where would proceed be a reasonable alternative to derive?

The synonyms proceed and derive are sometimes interchangeable, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is it sensible to use spring instead of derive?

The words spring and derive can be used in similar contexts, but spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace derive?

Although the words stem and derive have much in common, 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 derive Qatar has long been accused of flaunting its vast wealth, derived largely from oil extraction, to curry favor on Capitol Hill and in the Ivy League. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025 In 2022, the new Labor government committed to net-zero targets and immediately began the work of driving carbon emissions down in a country which derives a significant portion of its wealth from extracting fossil fuels. Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson, CNN Money, 3 May 2025 Eli Lilly began mass-producing insulin derived from cows and pigs. Discover Magazine, 3 May 2025 The comic edge of Bochner’s work partly derives from this downward pull of bodily functions and mortal flesh. Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
Verb
  • To understand what’s at stake amid the NNSA’s workforce woes, USA TODAY interviewed current and former agency officials and reviewed decades of watchdog reports, safety records and other official documents.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The realtor also pulled permits to help determine a timeline of events to understand when some of the damage occurred.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The California State Parks Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving California’s state park system, decided to make its first-ever top 10 list after receiving hundreds of queries over the years about the best parks to visit, Norton told The Tribune.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
  • The regular-season series saw the Checkers edge the Bears 4-2-1-1, with four games decided by a single goal.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • So don’t tell me there are only eight teams better than Miami, as Spoelstra inferred.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
  • Range contraction of the Yangtze finless porpoise inferred from classic Chinese poems A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • Their research concluded that nearly 40% of dogs tested positive for the disease.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Investigators later concluded that faulty mechanical systems, combined with weak oversight, were to blame.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • In the lesson, students deduce the correct path by jumping on colored dots to find their way across six multi-hued rows.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • After deducing an approximate location for where Mr. Biari was placing his calls, Israeli military officials were warned that the area, which included several apartment complexes, was densely populated, two intelligence officers said.
    Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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