derive

as in to understand
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information from the summit, he was able to derive his location from the position of several prominent landmarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb derive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of derive are arise, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of derive?

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 might emanate be a better fit than derive?

In some situations, the words emanate and derive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 derive?

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

words flowed easily from her pen

When can issue be used instead of derive?

While in some cases nearly identical to derive, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for derive?

While the synonyms originate and derive are close in meaning, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

Where would proceed be a reasonable alternative to derive?

The synonyms proceed and derive are sometimes interchangeable, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is it sensible to use spring instead of derive?

The words spring and derive can be used in similar contexts, but spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace derive?

Although the words stem and derive have much in common, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples 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 derive Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by failing to include milk derived from an ingredient on the product label. Anna Commander, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 The amino acid constructions are somewhere between a biologic drug, made or derived from living organisms, and a small molecule drug like aspirin, which is chemically synthesized. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025 This account is derived from two people with direct knowledge of Bezos' thinking who spoke on the condition that they were not named, as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025 The price comparisons were made in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Houston on a 70 top selling items basket size based on categories derived from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) results in each region and nationally. Phil Lempert, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for derive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
Verb
  • Want to understand the impact of tech on your body and how to live better with your devices?
    Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Still, Republicans have said that even if that call was accurate, the C.I.A. failed in understanding other key events: how quickly the Afghan government could collapse, how Bashar al-Assad would flee Syria and how Hamas was preparing to attack Israel.
    Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Content creators and influencers must decide what to do with the looming TikTok ban.
    Emma Cortes Ellendt, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • By April 2024, Zellner decided to file a clemency petition asking that Pritzker exonerate Calusinski or release her for time served.
    Stephanie Slifer, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Even disabling location services or changing your location within TikTok is unlikely to stop the app from trying to infer an approximate location using other factors (like device settings), which may mean the ban still applies.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Ultimately, people are far better at inferring past events than predicting future ones.
    Jeremy R. Manning, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Biden's latest export controls have led some observers to conclude the government shares the growing sense that AGI is close.
    Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But most have concluded that justice will never be theirs, that the police have moved on to investigating crimes that receive more public attention, that they have been forgotten.
    Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Manners deduced that Timken’s owner must have been a FEE supporter given his circulation of The Freeman.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • As their guesses are accepted or rejected, players can deduce what the rules are.
    James Palmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near derive

Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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