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
People with kidney issues may need to limit coconut water, as their kidneys may not be able to filter potassium properly, leading to high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia).13 Some people may be allergic to coconut water. Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 11 July 2025 Last year’s West Virginia team, meanwhile, adapted to its personnel issues and finished 15th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
Under the charter, Circle, which issues the USDC stablecoin, will also be able to offer custody services in the future to institutional clients for assets, which could include representations of stocks and bonds on a blockchain network. Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 30 June 2025 Trump issued an order in March invoking the Alien Enemies Act to speed up deportations of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • That has taught me that presence matters more than the duration of an interaction—even minutes can lead to life-changing outcomes.
    Dr. Eric George, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Medicaid coverage for abortions improves outcomes by allowing people to seek medical care earlier in pregnancy.
    Claire Laurier Decoteau, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Geographic diversification can help create resilience in an uncertain technology landscape and provide multiple paths to exits and returns.
    Nicole LeBlanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The premature exit also takes two meaningful games off the board, meaning Canada will only play friendlies between now and the World Cup.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Among the 20-somethings at its center are the Bravo-famous offspring of breakout Housewives Kandi Burruss, Kim Zolciak, Meredith Marks, and Teresa Giudice.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
  • The study produced another intriguing finding: Ancestral night lizards had very small litter sizes, probably consisting of just one or two offspring.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • In that study, published in the Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, researchers presented 1,000 respondents with product descriptions, finding that products described as using AI were consistently less popular.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Though, that doesn't mean lip flips are entirely off the market, causing curiosity around the procedure to grow; a report published by the National Library of Medicine discovered a 33% monthly increase in the search volume for lip flips from 2014-2024.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, ESA released a request for proposals to European industry for bids to compete in the European Launch Challenge.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
  • Just in time for the dog days of summer, Farmers' Almanac released its extended fall forecast.
    Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The results were adjusted for consecutive years versus that conventional use spread over the decade, as well as comorbidities and other conditions that could impact walking speed and strength.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2025
  • The recent test was a result of the Booster Obsolescence Life Extension (BOLE) project, which looked at optimizing booster design for lower-cost and more efficient options.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • According to the outlet, the story follows Nick and Naomi, a couple who have fallen out of love and try to each convince the other to call off the wedding by means of sabotage and emotional manipulation.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • According to the outlet, the surfer had previously seen sharks at the beach and had even witnessed other people sustain shark bites.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The hanging fruits had been emblazoned with the letters of the Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
    Veronica Hilbring, Essence.com, 11 July 2017
  • My feeling is generally in the case of summer fruit pies, if things are in season and at their peak bounty, why be skimpy?
    Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit, 8 July 2017

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Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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