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
However, the industry has been slow to pivot and address these foundational issues. Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025 City’s movement and quality can still cause issues, and Palace were susceptible to being pulled out of their shape when opposition midfielders dropped deep. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
Prescription drug costs President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order taking aim at high prescription drug costs in the U.S. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 13 May 2025 The State Department considers various factors—such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, likelihood of a natural disaster and current events—when issuing advisories to alert American travelers about a country's safety level. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • Polis also highlighted a unique concern: the CAIA deviates from traditional discrimination frameworks by prohibiting all discriminatory outcomes from AI systems, regardless of intent.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • And while ear piercing is generally safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists several adverse outcomes to improper piercing and piercing care, such as infection at the piercing site, bloodstream infections, allergic reactions, cuts and tears, and keloid formation.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Kim Woong-heon, an official in GM Korea’s labor union, said that the union is approaching current rumors of the company’s potential exit with a dose of caution, but added that broader concerns about the company’s long-term commitment remain.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Gundogan replaced David Silva’s metronomic influence, Ruben Dias brought back Vincent Kompany’s leadership and, of course, the pain of Sergio Aguero’s exit has been numbed somewhat.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Based on the location, Hughes does not believe the snake is a hybrid, or the offspring of two different parent species.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Expert help is recommended because a mom, if cornered, likely will defend her offspring.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The announcement of his May 7 death, published on Legacy.com by his family May 13, did not cite a cause.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Jessi, 32, and her castmate Layla Taylor also opened up about the split in an article Page Six published May 16.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • By the time Popeyes released its sandwich, chicken consumption outstripped that of beef.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 10 May 2025
  • This practice involves buzzing next to flowers whose pollen is only released when there is a powerful air current next to their anthers so that pollen can be released to the adjacent female stigmas, facilitating pollination.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The result of those horrendous 1992 seasons placed the Patriots and Seahawks atop the 1993 NFL Draft.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • The Pro Pickleball Medal Tracker has now been updated with these results; check out this link online for a complete pro medal history for all tours and all pro events dating to the beginnings of all the major pro tours, plus pro events that predated 2020.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The outlet also indicated that the filing came just over a week after a domestic violence case, which was listed as a related case, was filed.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • According to Frye, Buffalo Exchange faces some unavoidable extra expenses, such as the cost of shipping clothing from full-price stores to outlet locations in places like Nogales, Ariz. and San Antonio, Texas.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 May 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 21 May. 2025.

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