derive

verb

di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
Definition of derivenext
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

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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 While Tesla is less exposed to the levies than other U.S. automakers, the company still derives a considerable amount of parts from ex-U.S. sources such as China, Ives highlighted. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 Even Hazel’s weapons — which include a pair of weaver’s hooks, a distaff and a drop spindle — are derived from a creative force. —Justin Porter, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Project 2025 is explicitly derived from the processes used by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to subvert his country’s democracy and by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to subvert the inchoate democratic movement after the fall of the Soviet Union. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025 City of Leesburg contributions are derived from Recreation Impact Fees and the Carver Heights/Montclair and 441/27 Community Redevelopment agencies. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
  1. understand
  2. decide
  3. infer
  4. conclude
  5. deduce
Verb
  • IndieWire understands the festival was waiting to confirm Denzel Washington’s attendance, and indeed the star will be at Cannes.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And like Bell, my bandmates and I understood why other artists were continuing to cancel their performances.
    — Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of understand
Verb
  • Connie Stevens has put her house in a gated suburban enclave of Los Angeles up for sale, while Muse frontman Matt Bellamy and Wonder Woman director Patty Stevens have also decided to say goodbye to their deluxe digs in other parts of the city.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Speaker Mike Johnson decided to plow ahead with the vote on the budget blueprint on Wednesday evening, despite opposition from several rank-and-file Republican lawmakers.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of decide
Verb
  • By monitoring these dips, astronomers can infer the presence of a planet, its size and the length of its orbit.
    — Victoria Corless, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Planets exert gentle influence on nearby stars, so by watching the wobble, dimming or distortion of starlight, scientists can infer the presence of these elusive targets.
    — Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of infer
Verb
  • China's tariff rate is now in triple digit territory, and who knows what happens in 90 days when this pause concludes.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The audience peaked with around 21.1M viewers as the nail-biting game, in which the Gators trailed for a majority of the time, was concluding.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Tennis players are deduced, disadvantaged, deserved, and defaulted.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
  • In this instance, the appearance of a snake inside a barbecue might have provided some initial shock, but McKenzie quickly deduced that there was nothing to worry about.
    — Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
Definition of deduce

Browse Nearby Words

derivatives
derive
derived
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Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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