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 In addition to the practical differences between the military and the police, there are philosophical differences derived from core principles of federalism, which refers to the division of power between the national and state governments. —Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025 One of the very attractive features of the amplituhedron, one that was noticed right away by Arkani-Hamed and Trnka, was that these two features, unitarity and locality, are necessary (but not fundamental) consequences that can be derived by using the amplituhedron framework. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 5 Sep. 2025 Cells derived from those original lines are used in vaccine production, but vaccines don’t contain fetal cells. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 But some analysts have worried about a disclosure from Nvidia that 44% of revenue from chip sales to data centers is derived from just two customers, presumed to be Microsoft and Meta Platforms. —John Kell, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
  1. understand
  2. decide
  3. infer
  4. conclude
  5. deduce
Verb
  • Your smartphone's voice assistant struggles to understand your accent but works perfectly for others.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While parenting responsibilities are widely understood and sometimes better supported in the workplace, senior care still has a long way to go, Zlotsky said.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of understand
Verb
  • How would Trump react to his administration now getting to decide the fate of CNN?
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Ego Nwodim has decided to leave the NBC show after seven seasons.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of decide
Verb
  • The ability to look at a less-than-perfect image and infer what’s happening on the ground is a skill honed through experience, not algorithms.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To infer causality or intent within those actions is even more difficult, if not impossible, when so many other factors are at play beyond Paqueta’s control.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of infer
Verb
  • Amazon Prime Video’s six-part thriller concluded with an ending that cannonballed into new territory and paddled swiftly away from the ending of Michelle Frances’ 2017 novel of the same name.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Trump was right again in concluding that the Federal Reserve has been too late in responding to the deterioration of the job market.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • There’s one song to deduce each day.
    — Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Someone will look back on 2025 and pick through the mountain of symphonies and movies and novels and museum exhibits that were being offered this fall and will deduce this was what America and Chicago were thinking in 2025.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2025.

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