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

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

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 It’s derived from salmon DNA and is packed full of skin-repairing benefits. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2025 The original data was derived from the Terex Corporation annual 10-K report dated February 7, 2025. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025 All governments employ major labor forces at a very high cost to taxpayers and derive much of their revenue from company payroll taxes and employee income taxes. Chris Boudreau, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025 What wind means for California’s climate targets Building out the nascent offshore wind industry is considered a cornerstone to help California reach its goal to derive 100% of the state’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045, if not sooner. Rob Nikolewski, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for derive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
Verb
  • However, understanding these potential impacts could help prepare humanity for this possible future.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Representing immigrant moms everywhere, who appreciate the paper bag their son’s girlfriend brought home more than the vegan sliders inside, host Pascal does an incredible job of selling jokes that the audience may not fully understand, but can feel in their spirit.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The singer decided to busk on the city’s Church Street ahead of his concert, but police officers literally pulled the plug, saying Sheeran didn’t have proper permission.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
  • This is not a unitary polity, where the president decides for everyone, but 50 sovereign states that joined in union.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Engineers could also use the data to learn how a building behaves and changes over time, and infer how to construct better in the future.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Their findings led them to infer hydrogen is absorbing the X-ray photons in the far-off host galaxy.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Simultaneously, New York Fashion Week concluded with the Sergio Hudson Fall/Winter 2025 Fashion Show, where Keke Palmer turned heads in a cream ensemble, embodying leadership and authority.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The tour itself starts on April 19 in Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium and will conclude the North American run in Northwest Stadium in Washington, D.C. on June 18.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, former officials said the partial names could be cross-referenced with existing, publicly available data to deduce their full identities.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The body of water that created the ripples must have been exposed to the wind, which is why the scientists deduced it was not covered in ice.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near derive

Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on derive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!