stem

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stem differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stem are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, and spring. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

How are the words arise and rise related as synonyms of stem?

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 stem?

The words derive and stem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When is it sensible to use emanate instead of stem?

Although the words emanate and stem have much in common, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How do flow and spring relate to one another, in the sense of stem?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

In what contexts can issue take the place of stem?

In some situations, the words issue and stem are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for stem?

The meanings of originate and stem largely overlap; however, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When might proceed be a better fit than stem?

The words proceed and stem can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is spring a more appropriate choice than stem?

The synonyms spring and stem are sometimes interchangeable, but spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

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 stem As Deadline has reported, the Season 3 delay stemmed in part from the fact that, while Saldaña already had an acting deal in place spanning three seasons, Kidman had to make a new one for Season 3, which took awhile. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025 There’s a certain irony that Kenvue has struggled to stem investor worries, given Tylenol’s handling of a poisoning crisis in the 1980s is still held up as the gold standard for corporate crisis communications. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025 Elliott’s relationship with Eschenbach stems back over a decade to his prior role as president and COO of VMware, where Elliott was a very active shareholder. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025 Many experiments use hydroponic setups where seedlings are dunked into water with plastic particles, letting leaves and stems touch the mix directly. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stem
Verb
  • The funding pause leaves many new homeowners in high-flood risk areas scrambling for protection and could halt the processing of current damage claims.
    Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Before referrals were halted, the effort that placed people at the Civic had already moved hard-to-reach homeless people from the street to a shelter space and, in many cases, then on to long-term housing and stability.
    Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Treasury has not set a date for when the final draft will be decided, but the government shutdown may delay a final decision.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Munich Airport in Germany briefly delayed the relaunch of flight operations on Saturday morning local time due to drone sightings, after previous UAV sightings earlier halted all traffic at the airport for several hours.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The arteries end at the capillaries.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Arkansas Educational Freedom Accounts could cost the state more than $326 million during the fiscal year that ends June 30, according to information provided by the state Department of Education.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The trend shows no signs of stopping.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • To help stop the spread, wash your hands, avoid sick areas, and report symptoms quickly.
    Jenna Anderson, Health, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Royal Caribbean cruise ship facing a norovirus outbreak while at sea docked at PortMiami early Thursday morning, concluding a 13-night voyage.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The process concludes with compression and storage.
    Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kobach has petitioned top Republican lawmakers to convene a special session with the goal of blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from resuming its practice of accommodating gender marker change requests, according to a letter sent to GOP lawmakers and obtained by The Star.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Learn how Louisville's Adidas and University of Kentucky's Nike contracts could block the new revenue stream.
    Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The scandal has already impeded the effort to hold Israel accountable for the death toll in Gaza; the woman fears that anger at Israel might now lead members of the assembly to discount her story and, instead, side with Khan.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • However, 76ers guard Kennedy Chandler impeded his path, and Hart hit the hardwood in clear pain.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Multiple fire departments worked to suppress the blaze, police said.
    Charles Ventura, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Tigers pitchers, meanwhile, rank 14th in suppressing home runs.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stem. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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