stem

verb

Definition of stemnext
as in to halt
to stop the progress or spread of (something) efforts to stem the dramatic decline of an endangered species

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stem differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stem are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, originate, proceed, rise, and spring. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

How are the words arise and rise related as synonyms of stem?

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 stem?

The words derive and stem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When is it sensible to use emanate instead of stem?

Although the words emanate and stem have much in common, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How do flow and spring relate to one another, in the sense of stem?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

In what contexts can issue take the place of stem?

In some situations, the words issue and stem are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When would originate be a good substitute for stem?

The meanings of originate and stem largely overlap; however, originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

When might proceed be a better fit than stem?

The words proceed and stem can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When is spring a more appropriate choice than stem?

The synonyms spring and stem are sometimes interchangeable, but spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

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 stem Trump on Monday declared that Mexico, along with Canada and China, had failed to do enough to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the U.S. Sheinbaum Pardo said Mexico had collaborated with the U.S. on migration, security and anti-drug trafficking. — Kylie Madry and Brendan O'Boyle, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Water sprouts are fast-growing upright stems that appear after major pruning. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025 Operating outside the chain of command, which runs from the president to the defense secretary to combatant commanders, the chairman’s power stems not from leading troops in battle, but from having the ear of the leader of the free world. — Dwight Stirling, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025 Chard stems, which are often discarded, are a great item to pickle. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stem
  1. halt
  2. delay
  3. end
  4. stop
  5. conclude
  6. block
  7. impede
  8. suppress
Verb
  • Their efforts to halt construction were ultimately unsuccessful, however, and the pipeline started operating in June 2017.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In other January texts, the mayor told political allies the city was undergoing a new Reconstruction era, an allusion to the period of rapid but ultimately halted Black advancement after the Civil War.
    — Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of halt
Verb
  • With Kyiv losing its grip on the western Russian region of Kursk, its sole territorial bargaining chip, many believe that Putin may be delaying talks on the ceasefire proposal until the region is firmly back under Russian control.
    — Nic Robertson, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
  • When football resumed, money was scarce and plans for a new bridge into Salford and a car park were delayed.
    — Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of delay
Verb
  • Jaxon Demme’s sculptures in the gallery’s center are princesses encased in chrome and wire, still waiting for the butterfly to arrive and the suffering to end.
    — Devan Díaz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The goal here is, the only way out to end this war is to negotiate out of it.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of end
Verb
  • Just a normal kid, that is, until two girls stop him, eyes wide and mouths agape, to ask for photos.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Training a guide dog in the UK usually takes around two years, during which the dogs learn multiple skills, like avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs, navigating complex environments, and responding to emergency scenarios.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of stop
Verb
  • After weeks of tense deliberations, the trial concluded on July 1, 2024.
    — Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • An investigation led by Chief Justice Earl Warren concluded that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy, but the probe has been widely criticized by academics and historians in the 62 years since the assassination.
    — Stefan Becket, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • If a sale isn’t completed by the deadline, the White House could attempt to enforce a ban — though legal challenges could delay or block that outcome.
    — Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Boasberg blocked the administration from relying on that authority Saturday and in a hearing the same day, ordered the two flights to be turned around in midair and returned to the U.S.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of block
Verb
  • Britain’s youth are grappling with worse mental health now than 10 years ago, pushing more of them out of employment than their middle-aged peers and impeding their career growth.
    — BYPrarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Whereas, for example, if AI is part of a feature set, one component faulting does not necessarily cause the user to feel their tasks have been impeded.
    — Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of impede
Verb
  • So could a weight loss medication that blocks opiate receptors along with suppressing appetite be effective?
    — Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Consider the scenario of deeper economic stagnation: a prolonged downturn could significantly delay the recovery of the housing sector, exacerbating affordability struggles, and suppressing new residential construction.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of suppress

Phrases Containing stem

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Cite this Entry

“Stem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stem. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stem

Nglish: Translation of stem for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stem

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