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
There were more than 26,000 incidents of people reporting issues with the social media platform as of about 9:30 a.m. ET, according to Downdetector.com, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources. Mike Snider, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Roughly 21,000 users reported issues just after 8:30 a.m. ET, per the analytics platform. Erin Doherty, CNBC, 24 May 2025
Verb
Trump's latest attack against Harvard comes two days after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from being able to revoke the university's ability to enroll international students. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 May 2025 After nights of clashes, then-President Donald Trump, known for issuing directives and invectives through social media, fired off a series of posts shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • The outcome was similar, with a judge ruling that intelligent design is not science, and that forcing teachers to give equal time to intelligent design as an alternative to Darwin’s theory would be unconstitutional.
    Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
  • This outcome means that sprawling universes go well beyond the MCU.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Kim Woong-heon, an official in GM Korea’s labor union, said that the union is approaching current rumors of the company’s potential exit with a dose of caution, but added that broader concerns about the company’s long-term commitment remain.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • However, guest star Daniel Lubetzky, who founded the Kind snack company, was recently promoted to a permanent seat on the panel ahead of Cuban's exit.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Based on the location, Hughes does not believe the snake is a hybrid, or the offspring of two different parent species.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Expert help is recommended because a mom, if cornered, likely will defend her offspring.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The announcement of his May 7 death, published on Legacy.com by his family May 13, did not cite a cause.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Jessi, 32, and her castmate Layla Taylor also opened up about the split in an article Page Six published May 16.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • However, he was granted his request at the Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, May 21, according to the BBC, and was released on a $6.7 million bail.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • But the new villain is smarter than the IMF assumed, and the mission has disastrous results.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • As the documents explained, the authors relied on diagnostic codes to separate miscarriages, which are often also treated with mifepristone, from abortions—a practice that may yield imprecise results.
    Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Luke has spent 10 years reporting on Formula 1 for outlets including Autosport, The New York Times and NBC Sports, and is also a published author.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The outlet also indicated that the filing came just over a week after a domestic violence case, which was listed as a related case, was filed.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 16 May 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 30 May. 2025.

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