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 breakthrough also enables a battery lifespan of over 300,000 km (186,411 miles) and effectively solves a critical safety and performance issue that has long hindered the advancement of next-generation EV batteries. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025 But the White House has been open about some of the president's medical issues. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
But a Kemp spokesperson, who was not named, said in a statement issued to local media that the state will always enforce the law, including federal immigration law. Debbie Elliott, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025 The warning had been issued for Caswell County. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • Unwavering loyalty Schrandt told ABC News that any deportations to Afghanistan are an unacceptable outcome.
    Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The cumulative effect is fewer community judgments and more private, judicial and legislative control over outcomes.
    Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the New York facility, agents sealed the exits, halting production and corralling workers for questioning.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Belichick’s Tar Heels scored on their opening possession in a Labor Day prime-time matchup with TCU, only to see the Horned Frogs score the next 41 points in a 48-14 blowout as the six-time Super Bowl winner watched with blank stares and Carolina fans began heading for the exit ramps early.
    Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 6 Sep. 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
  • Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Hollywood Reporter published their accounts, which included one woman’s claim that the actor waited for her outside of a restroom and forcefully pushed her against a wall and kissed her.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, 85 scientists released a 459-page rebuttal to the DOE report, highlighting a large body of scientific literature pointing to how climate change can exacerbate droughts, floods, crop failures, and other disasters.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 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
  • The couple first met in 2018, and were first photographed together in September of that year, according to the outlet.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Many left-wing media outlets have touted her as a top presidential contender.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • After more than an hour on the road, the team arrived at a cluster of trailers behind a long dirt path on a grower’s property in South Haven, tight quarters where farmworkers rest after long-hour shifts picking fruit under the Michigan sun.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Always cut off diseased fruits, veggies, and even flower blooms before winter and make sure to clean these clippings off the ground, too.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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