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 The moves stem not only from the shooting response but from deputies’ responses to more than a dozen calls for help in the months leading up to the murders, Sheriff Gregory Tony announced on Friday. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 Wilcox’s defenses have multiple fronts using four and three down linemen, stemming on the same play and disguised coverages. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 Arguing that relocation can stem the loss of biodiversity, the government has classified some islands used by Nicobarese tribals as wildlife sanctuaries. M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025 Condon credits Chicago director Rob Marshall with that choice and notes that his own take on Spider Woman stemmed more from Molina's own imaginings in the original novel than the Chicago approach. Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stem
Verb
  • Lifestyles changes such as eating better, being more physically active and abstaining from alcohol may halt or even reverse the progression of MASH.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • While the outlet did not specify which investments may have been halted, an anonymous Korean semiconductor executive told Korea JoongAng Daily that such actions had raised concerns about Samsung Electronics' advanced chip plant under construction in Taylor, Texas.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • More than 300 flights were delayed at Denver International Airport on Saturday due to a ground delay caused by thunderstorms in the area.
    Marco Cummings, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Previously, researchers faced strict regulations that could delay their work.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Election laws are set at the state level, meaning that any order from the president seeking to end the voting option would likely be met with legal challenges.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Daylight saving time ends (slightly) earlier in 2025.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Nothing better than putting down the top and driving beautiful roads just after the rain stops and the air is powerfully charged by the nearby ocean, scrubbed clean.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, water levels at Lake Powell, one of the main water storage reservoirs for the Colorado River Basin, could fall low enough to stop hydropower generation at the reservoir by December 2026, according to the NOAA report.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Amazon Prime Video’s six-part thriller concluded with an ending that cannonballed into new territory and paddled swiftly away from the ending of Michelle Frances’ 2017 novel of the same name.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Trump was right again in concluding that the Federal Reserve has been too late in responding to the deterioration of the job market.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Congress has long blocked that increase from taking effect, with lawmakers from both parties fearful about the political fallout of voting themselves a pay raise.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That dire warning aside, California tribes are also suing for a preliminary injunction against Kalshi to block its prediction markets.
    Contessa Brewer,Alex Sherman, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was issued a red card in the 38th minute for impeding Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha in the box.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The university has also cracked down on chalking on campus sidewalks, which critics say impedes the free speech rights of students.
    Chris Quintana, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Although Canon had mandated that the Cat's programmability be suppressed, the IAI team nevertheless maintained the ability to compute expressions, which Canon permitted as an extension of the editor metaphor.
    Cameron Kaiser, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • However, the country's typically strict online censors did not appear to be limiting discussion in the comments—a tactic often used to suppress sensitive or politically awkward narratives.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stem. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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