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
Medical issues have been reported after training in polluted ocean water. Tammy Murga The San Diego Union-Tribune (tns), arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025 No doubt Brighton are also trying to deal with this issue. Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
When President Donald Trump ordered federal workers back to the office, red state governors took notice and started issuing decrees for state-level employees to do the same. Kevin Williams, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025 The incident happened after 11 p.m. at the Shalala Student Center, according to a safety advisory issued to students by the university Monday afternoon. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • Department sources previously said an initial investigation into the remarks had led to a lieutenant, a sergeant and two officers being placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a broader internal affairs probe.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • And hospitals, which are judged on patient outcomes, routinely decline potential matches.
    Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While attending the premiere of the show's spinoff, Suits LA, in California on Thursday, Feb. 20, Suits creator Aaron Korsh spoke about the possibility of a cameo from the Duchess of Sussex following her exit from the legal drama in 2018.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Among the special’s finest moments is when Gadsby considers an exit from comedy, or, rather, closing the chapter on an era of comedy that foregrounded self-deprecation over healing.
    Will DiGravio, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As a result, half the offspring of each breeding pair will inherit the supergene, and half will not.
    Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
  • At the time, Congress did not debate whether offspring of people in the country illegally were guaranteed citizenship.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2024, the ADL published a report detailing an increase in jihadist terrorist incidents nationwide, including several plots to cause mass casualties.
    Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Sign up to receive its biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    CNN, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, Jaar released Intiha, an abstract collaboration with the composer Ali Sethi, and last year, the Chilean-American producer released Piedras 1 & 2, two ambitious LPs tackling Chilean history and Palestinian erasure.
    Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Common Sense Media has released a new report that looks at the 2024 media use of children ages 0 to 8, pointing to some of the challenges faced by those educating this generation.
    Peter Greene, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Power rankings: How do all 32 teams stand following the result of Super Bowl 59?
    Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The closest Inter came to scoring was also the result of this kind of move.
    Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • According to the local outlet, the Fascella family made their mark serving up authentic Italian cuisine back in the 70s when Villa Roma was built and opened by his father, Dennis Fascella Sr., alongside Angelo Fascella.
    Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Six of those families found their relative’s name on the list the news outlets published.
    Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 21 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.

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