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

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Relevance

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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

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

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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
Job Corps, established in 1964, provides education and vocational training to disadvantaged youth but has been criticized by the Labor Department for poor outcomes and safety issues. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 Explore See latest videos, charts and news Joel, who recently canceled all live performances due to a health issue affecting his ability to perform, had initially planned to be in attendance at the Tribeca Festival for the premiere of the new documentary about his life. —Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 June 2025
Verb
In April, Mexico issued a warning for people traveling to the US and Canada due to high measles case rates. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 Whitney Decker and Cozart are now advocating for change in the mental health resources accessible for veterans and are also working with law enforcement officials to come up with reforms for the Amber Alert system -- as one was not issued when the girls originally went missing last week. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 6 June 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
  • There’s been speculation in the Russian and Western media about areas for possible negotiation, and the outcome of the Istanbul talks are being closely watched for any hints of flexibility.
    — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • But the volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and on possible capacity changes related to the introduction of the U.S. port docking fees on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 June 2025
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • The morning was whirlwind enough, getting yelled at by TSA agents, flipping luggage here and there, tying shoes in a rush, flying through the clouds, finding our car at the economy parking lot, then oddly missing the correct highway connection at the airport exit.
    — Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • An additional bridge will carry westbound traffic, from Mooresville into Catawba County. Improvements to the bottlenecked I-77/N.C. 150 exit 36 interchange are planned.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
Definition of exit
Noun
  • These characters, such as Draculaura (daughter of Dracula), Frankie Stein (daughter of Frankenstein’s monster), Clawdeen Wolf (daughter of the Werewolf) and Cleo de Nile (daughter of the Mummy), are designed to reflect the diverse and unique offspring of classic monster figures.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2025
  • Grads included Isabella Rossellini and First Daughter Tricia Nixon Cox as well as the offspring of Roosevelts and Vanderbilts.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 3 June 2025
Definition of offspring
Verb
  • Asked whether the White House would ask for alternative estimates, Vought again put the burden on CBO, repeating that congressional rules allow the office to publish more analysis.
    — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • In a poll published Friday (June 6) on Billboard, music fans chose the superstar singer’s latest single as their favorite new release of the week.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 June 2025
Definition of publish
Verb
  • Law enforcement released a drone video of the house in question, which is at 1125 Walnut Acres Drive in the Mountain View community near Hickory.
    — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
  • Similarly, the requirement for iPadOS 16 means the latest YouTube update won’t run on the iPad Air 2 (released in 2014) and iPad mini 4, first sold in 2015.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • The result is more of a finer bar-and-grill — note that’s the new name — with dinners for $20-$40.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
  • Similar tests on reefs in the Florida Keys have been conducted, with mixed preliminary results, likely due to regional differences in SCTLD.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Definition of result
Noun
  • The younger brother was 9 years old, the outlet reported.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
  • The outlet reported that Sanchez had two engagement parties, one in Beverly Hills and another in Positano, Italy.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 7 June 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

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issuances
issue
issued
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Cite this Entry

“Issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/issue. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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