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derives

verb

present tense third-person singular of derive
as in understands
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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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 derives A great deal of the movie’s power derives from its subtle — and some not-so-subtle — variations on the Finney novel and subsequent films. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 In those situations, advice derives much of its value from trust, accountability and experience. — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 As a result, the film derives overwhelming tension from the creature’s unknown qualities and the terror of an unseen force wreaking havoc on an unassuming community. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 The authority of objects derives from their imperviousness—but too total an imperviousness precludes writing and action altogether. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 The report also contains detailed data about taxable sales, personal income and other economic sectors from which the state derives income. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026 One’s trust in a griot’s accounting derives from centuries-old reliability. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 The word algebra derives from the al-jabr in this title, which, by extension, also informs the word algorithm. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 Boeing, for example, derives substantial revenue from its commercial aviation business, meaning separate economic conditions can have just as much impact on its stock as Pentagon spending. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derives
  1. understands
  2. decides
  3. infers
  4. concludes
Verb
  • The former head of Google China, who has also held senior executive roles at Microsoft and Apple, understands intimately how Silicon Valley leaders think.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Sacramento State’s team, to a man, understands who and what is invading Hornet Stadium on Saturday night on ESPN, a thundering herd of buffalo rooted in tradition in the form of the North Dakota State Bison.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of understands
Verb
  • The district, which governs most public roads in Ada County, often manages traffic and decides, for example, when to widen local streets.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
  • All 23 contestants will start as Faithfuls before Cumming decides which (typically) three players will become Traitors.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of decides
Verb
  • Examples include an agent that suggests a Roth conversion without looking at the life situation—such as age or tax bracket—or a support agent that infers CSAT is high due to dropping call volumes but doesn’t know a major telecom system is down.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • So hopefully the audience infers certain things, and every now and again, Austin, as Jay, will chime in with a little bit of dialogue.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
Definition of infers
Verb
  • But he’s intrigued enough to take the file from Emma anyway and quickly concludes, along with River, that Loy did not break his own arm and then barbecue himself making marshmallows.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The move comes at the start of the Fed's two-day policy meeting, with markets pricing in higher chances of a quarter-point rate hike when the meeting concludes Wednesday after August inflation remained well above the central bank's 2% target.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of concludes

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Cite this Entry

“Derives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derives. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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