DERIVATIVE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

derivative 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of derivative

as in secondary

taken or created from something original or basic a derivative style taken from earlier painters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

derivative

2 of 2

noun

di-ˈri-və-tiv

as in derivation

something that naturally develops or is developed from something else the whole field of industrial robots is a derivative of technology developed for the space program

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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 derivative

Adjective

The researchers also developed control systems combining model predictive control and proportional-integral-derivative control to steer and stabilize the robot. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026 As steward of his legacy, Lionni has been involved in many licensing deals and derivative works. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Noun

Electric utilities use derivatives to protect themselves against swings in wholesale energy costs. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026 However, the update reflected a slightly larger cash hedging loss of $220 million from derivatives, compared to Roth’s estimate of about $211 million. — Tipranks.com, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derivative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derivative

Adjective

Prunty brings speed to the secondary that perhaps only Christian Gonzalez can match and has a good argument to make the roster as a developmental outside corner.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, uniting the US, Japan, Australia, and India, is explicitly built to mobilize private capital behind secondary supply.

— Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of secondary

Noun

Many forms of divination have been practiced historically in Africa, but divination techniques found in Hoodoo have sometimes been of European derivation; for instance, Hoodoo frequently employs cartomancy, or divination using playing cards.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
And woven into every page and at each chapter heading are gorgeous language derivations.

— The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026

Definition of derivation

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derivations

derivative

derivatives

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“Derivative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derivative. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of derivative

adjective

noun

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