issue 1 of 2

1
2
as in exit
a place or means of going out since the lake is the issue of the polluted river, it is becoming polluted as well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in offspring
the descendants of a person, animal, or plant someone who dies without issue might have their estate turned over to the state

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

issue

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb issue differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of issue are arise, derive, emanate, flow, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

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

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 can derive be used instead of issue?

Although the words derive and issue have much in common, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

Where would emanate be a reasonable alternative to issue?

The synonyms emanate and issue are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 issue?

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

words flowed easily from her pen

When might originate be a better fit than issue?

The words originate and issue are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When is it sensible to use proceed instead of issue?

In some situations, the words proceed and issue are roughly equivalent. However, proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When could spring be used to replace issue?

While in some cases nearly identical to issue, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

In what contexts can stem take the place of issue?

The words stem and issue can be used in similar contexts, but 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 issue
Noun
The problematic issues there are significant. Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 31 Aug. 2025 The deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a hot button issue at this edition of the Venice Film Festival, which is unfolding six weeks shy of the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert earlier in 2025 to encourage parents to talk to their children about the risks associated with responding to a fake text. Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Enforcement is accelerating, with thousands of crypto tax notices issued and a growing wave of indictments tied to crypto tax evasion. Patrick Camuso, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • Norris was assigned to an administrative position after the incident, and his police powers were suspended pending the outcome of the case.
    Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
  • The flags flutter with familiar fervor, but beneath the ceremony lies a more complex reality — the emergence of what might be called hybrid independence, where natural and artificial intelligences merge in pursuit of outcomes neither could achieve alone.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Crash reported on Washington Street There is a crash on Washington Street from exit 2U to I-670 East.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Leadership shifts and exits Apple’s AI division has faced turmoil.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Fans got a glimpse at the duo's to-wear-or-not-to-wear banter on Instagram when the Padma's All American author attempted to police her offspring's low-rise jeans by finding any solution to keep them hung on her hips.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The resulting hybrid offspring won’t resemble their parent plants, so saving seeds for next year won’t be possible.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Of the 3,700 tons of coca produced worldwide, more than 2,500 tons come from Colombia, while Venezuela does not appear on production maps, according to the latest UNODC report published in June.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Investors will also keep an eye on economic data, including the gross domestic product data growth rate for the second quarter, which is set to be released on Thursday morning.
    Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Since then, he was released from the Broward Jail after paying a $150,000 bond, records show.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Greg Baker | Afp | Getty Images Alphabet shares rose 6% in premarket trading on Wednesday as investors viewed the result of Google’s antitrust case as broadly favorable to the tech giant.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
  • No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain.
    Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Twin Cities Premium Outlets, Eagan, announced that sports footwear company Vans is opening an outlet location.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Per the outlets, neither will pay spousal support and Hall received a one-time settlement of $300,000 from Haack.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The menu also includes shredded chicken, fruit, veggies and bacon strips served on dishes dedicated to animal service.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Powe still comes by once a week to drop off snacks for kids in the hotel — chips, cookies, jerky, fruit snacks, Little Debbie’s, whatever is on sale — shelling out about $100 or more of her own money every week doing so.
    Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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