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
Job Corps, established in 1964, provides education and vocational training to disadvantaged youth but has been criticized by the Labor Department for poor outcomes and safety issues. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 Explore See latest videos, charts and news Joel, who recently canceled all live performances due to a health issue affecting his ability to perform, had initially planned to be in attendance at the Tribeca Festival for the premiere of the new documentary about his life. Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 June 2025
Verb
In April, Mexico issued a warning for people traveling to the US and Canada due to high measles case rates. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 Whitney Decker and Cozart are now advocating for change in the mental health resources accessible for veterans and are also working with law enforcement officials to come up with reforms for the Amber Alert system -- as one was not issued when the girls originally went missing last week. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
Noun
  • Her relationship may have been seen as the ideal outcome of inner work, so its collapse may have felt disappointing, like a blow to their healing process.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • There’s been speculation in the Russian and Western media about areas for possible negotiation, and the outcome of the Istanbul talks are being closely watched for any hints of flexibility.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Accordingly, abolishing the semester as a rigid and seemingly arbitrary point of entry and exit for learning programs is gaining momentum.
    Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Yarbrough also ranked in the 99th percentile in average exit velocity (83.2 mph) and Hard-Hit% (24.7) prior to Monday.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • These two species can mate with one another, producing a hybrid, which can produce viable offspring.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
  • On Thursday morning, Hartley, the female of City Hall’s nesting peregrine pair, brought home a rat, and her five-week-old offspring Willow, Octavia, Emma and Chico feasted on the rodent.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • This is how Bob Iger ended up with The Ride of a Lifetime and Mark Burnett published Jump In!
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
  • Carter also published a post detailing the brand’s marketing strategy, attracting marketers and industry professionals alongside Set fans.
    Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Similarly, the requirement for iPadOS 16 means the latest YouTube update won’t run on the iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) and iPad mini 4, first sold in 2015.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • An Arizona murderer was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison on May 27 after killing a second person only 16 days after he was released in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona.
    Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The result is more of a finer bar-and-grill — note that’s the new name — with dinners for $20-$40.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Similar tests on reefs in the Florida Keys have been conducted, with mixed preliminary results, likely due to regional differences in SCTLD.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Scheele’s brother, a marine biologist, told the outlet this is the first sighting the pair have made of the species, following six years of searching.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Jennings then shared the agreement with other media outlets, and the department released a statement on his retirement.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 28 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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