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
Those options, however, have practical issues. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025 In a statement shared with Deadline, Drake blamed the issue on All Star Entertainment’s previous external accountants and said the company would continue to represent clients while resolving the matter. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Judge Arun Subrahmanian also issued a fine of $500,000 on Combs - the maximum possible for his crime. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025 The city of Evanston, an urban suburb of Chicago, issued a statement warning its residents of impending raids by ICE agents and urging them to report sightings of law enforcement. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • The comedically top-heavy sausages, which can easily topple forwards into the dirt, temporarily take center stage as the baseball players gaze on in amusement from their dugouts, sometimes wagering on the outcome.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The film benefits from its avoidance of a too-tidy, sentimental outcome, even if some in the audience might be left craving one.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the stampede of people rushing out the doorway and others trying to get back in, Jasper's brothers became trapped against the window of a door that led to an exit.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The trepidation that led to Ohtani’s early exit from his start against these same Phillies last month — when Ohtani was removed from a no-hitter after five innings in an eventual loss — is not part of the calculus this time.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • New seasonal ranges provide better temperatures, more resources and opportunities to produce healthy offspring.
    Brandi D. Addison, The Providence Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Plummer died in 2021 at age 91, and his cinematic offspring remembered him warmly.
    Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 28 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, 4 Oct. 2025
  • An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • According to figures from a housing assessment released this April, the median house value in Fayetteville has grown 275% in the last two decades, and the median gross rent has increased 78%.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In the lead-up to the tournament, Argentina had played a series of friendlies without him, since Valencia refused to release him.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That's the result of Republicans and Democrats failing to reach a deal to pass a stopgap funding bill.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • For best results and to keep your flannel looking great, follow the care instructions on the tag.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps, even more than ever before, because there are so many other outlets and ways people consume news today.
    Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Sesko’s presence up front served to provide a genuine outlet, with Mbeumo and Mount looking for flick-ons.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There are farmers' markets all over the county offering everything from fruits and veggies to jams and maple syrup, and picturesque towns and villages like Fleischmanns, Walton, and Hobart provide scenic locales for strolling, shopping, and dining.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In 1995, Waters chose a public middle school in Berkeley as the flagship for her nonprofit, The Edible Schoolyard Project, in which students tend to on-site gardens and learn to grow and cook their own vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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