as in secondary
taken or created from something original or basic
a derivative style taken from earlier painters
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in derivation
something that naturally develops or is developed from something else
the whole field of industrial robots is a derivative of technology developed for the space program
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of derivative
Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Through this culture, derivative work—typically moving image and music production—is created as a collage of preexisting works and materials.
—Paulo Nuno Vicenteall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Citadel also added new businesses not conventionally part of a hedge fund, including a technology platform and a derivatives market maker that was the precursor of Citadel Securities.
—Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derivative
Adjective
Tastytrade launched in 2010 as a streaming financial network before becoming a full brokerage in 2017, offering advanced derivative trading technology for retail investors.
—Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Through this culture, derivative work—typically moving image and music production—is created as a collage of preexisting works and materials.
—Paulo Nuno Vicenteall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Noun
Tranexamic acid is an amino acid derivative that mitigates inflammation, prevents new dark spots from forming, fades existing ones, clears congestion, and enhances radiance.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Citadel also added new businesses not conventionally part of a hedge fund, including a technology platform and a derivatives market maker that was the precursor of Citadel Securities.
—Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derivative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derivative
Adjective
-
In terms of artwork pricing, PDS said that entry-level prices were declining for quality secondary-market, historic works, making this an ideal time to acquire pieces that were previously far less accessible.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Those questions are not secondary.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
And woven into every page and at each chapter heading are gorgeous language derivations.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
Many derivations of ad-hoc street meat can be found in every nook and cranny of Los Angeles, and which is the best one, or the closest best one, is a matter of considerable inquiry and opinion across the city.—
Jordan Michelman,
Wired News,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
While Apple shares were up more than 4% in trading Friday, all of the derivate plays were trading in the red.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
With unique enough lore and a unique style, Saxon avoids making a derivate fable.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derivative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derivative. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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