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
Brown had a violent criminal past, including felony convictions and 14 prior run-ins with the law, and had previously been committed for mental health issues. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025 In the Advocate, Christopher Wiggins writes about how confidently Virginia Republicans are bringing back the issues that most hurt Harris. David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Forecasters issued a tropical storm watch and a tropical storm warning for portions of the Bahamas. Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and diverted a 45-foot response boat, a helicopter crew and an airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • DePrimeo then made certain that the outcome was never in doubt.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • That harms outcomes and raises risks.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Notre Dame outgained Arkansas 641-365 in total offense and scored touchdowns on eight of its first nine possessions to take the air out of the home crowd and send many thousands to the exits.
    Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The companies are there, the exit market is vibrant, and the demand for scale-up capital is in excess.
    Aman Ghei, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For readers, much of the aesthetic experience of engaging with either artist involves simply attending to this profusion of details, the infinitely diverse offspring of technical excellence and an inexhaustible imagination.
    Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • When these chickens breed, their offspring could produce eggs and sperm carrying dodo traits.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 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.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
  • That expression can come in a variety of ways, such as speaking up in a group, filing an official complaint, writing or publishing those views, or demonstrating and rallying to draw attention to them.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Baker escorted Skeet to Winkler County jail where he was booked and released on $20,000 bail.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Both were in theatres for only a week or so, before being released on the platform.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, medical advice should be sought if a test reveals a positive result.
    Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • One hundred fifty five days later, the Guardians have regained pole position in the AL Central, once again the result of a frenetic flash of bunts, chops and goofs that converted a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Several local media outlets reported that one or more drones were seen near or above the Karup Air Base, which is Denmark’s biggest military base.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The outlet said authorities specified that the drones were launched locally and did not come from Russia.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Obama Presidential Center was conceptualized as a campus, including a museum, library, athletic facility, and fruit and vegetable gardens to act as a community space in commemoration of the 44th president of the United States.
    Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Mornings taste better with a fresh fruit smoothie and sunrise on your deck, and the always smiling and hospitable resort staff keeps the surprises coming—maybe a floating breakfast one day or champagne at dusk the next.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on issue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!