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
The dispute over where Valadao stands on education illustrates the dilemma voters face trying to figure out just where candidates stand on an unusually sensitive issue. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The fast-approaching deadline for REAL IDs has many Americans rushing to obtain the important new identification even as travel issues may lie ahead. Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals turned down an effort by the DOJ to slow the process of Abrego Garcia's return, issuing a scathing reiteration to facilitate his return. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 An 8-year-old California girl has been found after she was abducted in Riverside County, around 100 miles east of Los Angeles, according to an Amber Alert issued by the state's Highway Patrol on behalf of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department (DHSPD). Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • From her campaign headquarters in Quito, González emphatically rejected the outcome.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of whether Tennessee looks back on this as a smart decision—on and off the field—in the future, one thing is for sure: the outcome of this situation will have a profound impact on contractual relationships between athletes and programs going forward.
    Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Former Vice President Kamala Harris won 55% of voters with a college degree during last fall’s election, per NBC exit polling, while Trump won among non-college graduates, including 67% of white non-college graduates.
    Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Jalen Brunson endured physical play in the Knicks’ 100-94 Game 2 loss to the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on Monday, alarming fans with another brief but unsettling late-game exit.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Schaus’ swallowtails, like many of the insects that Zimmerman studies, have many offspring, and their populations can balloon under the right conditions.
    Marina Wang, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Lizard and Snake Gestation Periods: 12 Months Most snakes don’t have long gestation periods, but northern copperheads can be pregnant for up to nine months, and could give birth to up to 10 offspring.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But all of these datacenters are vulnerable to Chinese espionage, according to a report published Tuesday.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Image Israel’s security chief accused Netanyahu of impropriety Ronen Bar, the chief of Israel’s domestic security agency, said in an affidavit published yesterday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had repeatedly pressed him to spy on Israelis who had led and funded anti-government protests.
    Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Police were expected to release more information later Friday.
    Crimesider Staff, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Glory in Your Story: Activating a Fearless Faith to Change Your Life, Your Career, and the World, is set to release on April 15, wherever books are sold.
    Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Webb telescope observations could have occurred by chance or could be the result of previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b.
    George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Friday’s result provided further clarity on the Heat’s draft pick situation.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Oblivion, along with Morrowind and Skyrim, was recognized as Game of the Year by multiple outlets.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • For instance, Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating all the major broadcast outlets — except for Rupert Murdoch's Fox, which owns the pro-Trump Fox News Channel.
    Frank Langfitt, NPR, 22 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.

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