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 Sweat samples were collected using the wearable device and lithium measurements were successfully matched against values derived from bulky commercial sensors. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025 The Trump administration says that that expansive tariff power derives from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 July 2025 Employers believe that workers in specific departments, like sales and marketing (85%) and human resources (78%), will derive significant value from AI implementation. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 The rest derives from endowment payout, contracts and grants, the provision of services (especially room and board), and the like. —Clifford Ando, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for derive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derive
  1. understand
  2. decide
  3. infer
  4. conclude
  5. deduce
Verb
  • His attorneys have argued that Brown appears not to be competent for trial and cannot factually understand the capital murder case against him.
    — Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • His office looks at the business' activities to understand what will take place on site.
    — Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
Definition of understand
Verb
  • This summer, the RFEF decided to base the team in Lausanne, a beautiful city with a lake in the centre of Switzerland, close to all venues.
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 28 July 2025
  • Following World War II, then-owner J. Paul Getty decided to pivot and start building trailers out of the use of the company’s trademark aluminum monocoques, according to Car and Driver.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 July 2025
Definition of decide
Verb
  • More exotic data collection techniques may be able to help infer the underground effects based on particle and electromagnetic emissions from the site.
    — Joshua Rovner, The Conversation, 2 July 2025
  • In cases where the arrest location wasn’t directly available, the state was inferred from the ICE field office involved.
    — Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 July 2025
Definition of infer
Verb
  • Metallica is slated to kick off their 2026 M72 World Tour in the late spring, which will conclude in the early summer on July 5th, 2026.
    — Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • At a two-day meeting that concludes Wednesday, the Fed is widely expected to hold its key interest rate steady despite President Donald Trump’s monthslong campaign aimed at browbeating Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues into cutting rates.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Definition of conclude
Verb
  • Wallace is a shark, a woman who’s able to see and deduce things way faster than the average person.
    — Nick Caruso, TVLine, 18 July 2025
  • As Mabel — who quickly deduces what’s going on between her sister and the duke — reminds her, Hector is everything Lizzy ever wanted.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 July 2025
Definition of deduce

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derive. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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