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
There were more than 26,000 incidents of people reporting issues with the social media platform as of about 9:30 a.m. ET, according to Downdetector.com, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources. Mike Snider, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Roughly 21,000 users reported issues just after 8:30 a.m. ET, per the analytics platform. Erin Doherty, CNBC, 24 May 2025
Verb
Trump's latest attack against Harvard comes two days after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from being able to revoke the university's ability to enroll international students. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 May 2025 After nights of clashes, then-President Donald Trump, known for issuing directives and invectives through social media, fired off a series of posts shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • But the volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and on possible capacity changes related to the introduction of the U.S. port docking fees on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 June 2025
  • There’s been speculation in the Russian and Western media about areas for possible negotiation, and the outcome of the Istanbul talks are being closely watched for any hints of flexibility.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Accordingly, abolishing the semester as a rigid and seemingly arbitrary point of entry and exit for learning programs is gaining momentum.
    Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • As a relieved June reunites with her friend, Naomi (Ever Carradine) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) exit the other car and approach with Angela/Charlotte.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • These two species can mate with one another, producing a hybrid, which can produce viable offspring.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
  • On Thursday morning, Hartley, the female of City Hall’s nesting peregrine pair, brought home a rat, and her five-week-old offspring Willow, Octavia, Emma and Chico feasted on the rodent.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • This is how Bob Iger ended up with The Ride of a Lifetime and Mark Burnett published Jump In!
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
  • Carter also published a post detailing the brand’s marketing strategy, attracting marketers and industry professionals alongside Set fans.
    Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • However, he was granted his request at the Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, May 21, according to the BBC, and was released on a $6.7 million bail.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The unintended result was heightened wildfire risk.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • As the documents explained, the authors relied on diagnostic codes to separate miscarriages, which are often also treated with mifepristone, from abortions—a practice that may yield imprecise results.
    Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Rima served as the Best Bets editor at New York Magazine for seven years, and writes primarily about lifestyle pursuits (design, art, culture and travel) for top international outlets including The New York Times, Elle and Elle Décor, Galerie, HTSI and the The Wall Street Journal, amongst others.
    Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Scheele’s brother, a marine biologist, told the outlet this is the first sighting the pair have made of the species, following six years of searching.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 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 5 Jun. 2025.

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