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

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 derive Bullish Thesis: Copper Strength: Copper prices approaching 52-week highs reflect strong global demand, particularly in electronics and renewable energy, benefiting FCX, which derives 72% of its revenue from copper. Tony Zhang, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025 The club’s ongoing profitability derives from their excellent navigation of the transfer market; in each of their last seven profitable years, City booked an operating loss, with that propelled into the black by chunky player sale profits. Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025 The film follows the story of Bayu, an Indonesian teenager who aspires to become a shaman for local trance parties in a small suburban community where inhabitants derive pleasure from spiritual possession. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025 The results derived from a random sampling of 1,004 adults aged 18 and over living in all 50 states, based on phone interviews, with a margin of error plus or minus four percent and with a 95 percent confidence level. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
Verb
  • It was not understood that the artist, through rigorous pictorial research, was aiming to chart the history of the image of female genitalia in the history of art from the classical period onward.
    Paola Ugolini, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • At least conceptually, the Giants understand that the leap from 3-14 to Super Bowl contender cannot be made in a year.
    Howard Megdal, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • No matter how it is eventually decided, the race to host the 2036 Olympics is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years.
    Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • When Henry decides that Cromwell will follow Anne Boleyn to the Tower, the two men don’t face off or exchange their grievances or relive their past together.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • By measuring this effect, scientists can begin to infer how invisible dark matter is affecting galaxies through its gravitational influence.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In their study, the researchers analyzed the complete genetic sequences of more than 1000 modern humans, rather than DNA extracted from ancient bones, allowing the team to infer the presence of ancestral populations that would have otherwise left no physical traces.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During her time on the long-running ABC drama, which concluded after 12 seasons in 2005, Delaney won an Emmy in 1997 for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • In its most recent meeting, which concluded on March 19, Fed officials acknowledged growing economic uncertainty, prompting them to raise their inflation forecast while lowering their growth outlook.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • My wife, a special education teacher, once led a lesson where her students—children with severe intellectual disabilities—analyzed historical defense spending and deduced that budgets rose before major wars.
    Scott White, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The redactions in the documents made public Tuesday are so extensive that little can be deduced about Prince Harry’s immigration records themselves, or even the volume of records withheld.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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