issue 1 of 2

noun

ˈi-(ˌ)shü How to pronounce issue (audio)
Definition of issuenext
1
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause one of the issues of the Civil War was a resolution to the question of states' rights

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

1
as in to publish
to produce and release for distribution in printed form plans to issue a monthly newsletter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to release
to throw or give off a volcano issuing vast clouds of hot ash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
By this point, Thunders, Nolan, and Kane were all dealing with significant addiction issues. —Daniel Kreps, Andy Greene march 1, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025 Reports reached DownDetector as early as 3:30 p.m. ET and peaked around 4:00 p.m. at more than 37,000 issues. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a statewide burn ban for all counties after over 100 ignitions were reported Saturday. —Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025 The office issued a statement following his son’s death. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for issue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for issue
  1. outcome
  2. exit
  3. offspring
  4. publish
  5. release
  6. result
  7. outlet
  8. fruit
Noun
  • The outcomes of the Elimination Chamber matches will significantly impact the WrestleMania 41 card.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Rather than solely praising outcomes, commend effort, creativity and persistence.
    — Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, Contributor, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • Meghan Markle will never win over UK public again, author claims Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of My Mother and I, discusses how the Duchess of Sussex isn't going to be welcomed back across the pond anytime soon following her royal exit.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Little to no clapping was seen from the Democratic side from the time Trump entered to his exit, and almost all Democrats did not stand for a single remark during Trump’s address.
    — Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of exit
Noun
  • The Svalbard polar bear mothers also stuck by their offspring for an average of 2.5 years.
    — Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Again, autobiography surfaces — Hackman, through his two marriages and three offspring, acquired and avidly refurbished an array of houses, notably in California’s Montecito and New Mexico’s Santa Fe.
    — Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of offspring
Verb
  • This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM.
    — Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 6:15 AM.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of publish
Verb
  • Hamas confirmed that more than 600 prisoners had been released overnight.
    — Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Common Sense Media has released a new report that looks at the 2024 media use of children ages 0 to 8, pointing to some of the challenges faced by those educating this generation.
    — Peter Greene, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • The result is strong and stable seating in a blue-and-white pattern that will pop on patios, balconies, and screen porches.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The results highlight the need for food safety improvements, Stanton Cope, consumer watchdog associate at PIRG and coauthor of the report, told Health.
    — Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of result
Noun
  • Hay has been bailed and is expected to be sentenced on April 17, the outlet reported.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • As a child, Carter was afforded creative outlets through the support of her local community, fostered for her by her single mother.
    — Essence, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of outlet
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
Definition of fruit

Phrases Containing issue

Browse Nearby Words

issue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on issue

Nglish: Translation of issue for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All