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 Total revenue decreased by 9% from one year earlier, to $19.3 billion, while revenue derived from car sales plunged 20% over the first three months of 2025 compared to a year ago, the earnings showed. Max Zahn, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025 As Hubble has aged, NASA mission managers have tightened their operating constraints, deriving strategies for the observatory to continue functioning despite several issues. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Streaming activity fuels almost all of Deep Thoughts’ first week, with 63,000 units deriving from the sector, equaling 85.9 million official on-demand U.S. audio and video streams of the album’s songs. Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025 Xanthan and guar gum are derived from plants and are typically safe, even beneficial, according to some studies. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
Verb
  • Trump administration takes aim at climate change The Trump administration is continuing to pursue its pledge to prioritize American energy independence and scale back the federal government's plans to understand and prevent climate change.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Dave [Watson] and his team have worked hard to understand the reasons for this disconnect and have identified two primary causes.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Virtue decided to address that issue at the root—pun intended—with its newest shampoo, and its matching Scalp Remedy Conditioner.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Upset with how his own Democratic Party is responding to Trump, he's decided to do just that.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For example, digital intelligence can infer customer perceptions through non-survey channels such as online interactions.
    Forrester, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Whatever might be inferred from these changes, her findings are now cited in commentary about the Gospel of John and have inspired a lively debate in current scholarship.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This Wedding Banquet concludes with a scene of Angela, Lee, Min, and Chris jointly raising two children, the kid Angela had after a drunken fling with Chris and the one Lee had through the IVF that Min funded.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The events will conclude with the beginning of the Novemdiales, a symbolic and procedural period of nine days of prayer, mourning and remembrance.
    Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When Aaron Friar, 50, and daughter, Ellie, 15, vanished from their Medford, Oregon, home on Oct. 2, 2017, investigators quickly deduced that there was foul play.
    Lauren A. White, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Alienware’s simulations deduced that this was the most effective way to move cool air into the system and push hot air out as quickly as possible—even more efficient than including a rear outward-facing exhaust fan.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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