Synonyms of derivative

derivative 1 of 2

adjective

as in secondary

taken or created from something original or basic

a derivative style taken from earlier painters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• secondary
• secondhand
• unoriginal
• resultant
• consequent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• basic
• fundamental
• first
• nonderivative
• primary

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• derivation
• derivate
• product
• descendant
• result
• by-product
• offshoot
• outgrowth
• reproduction
• spin-off
• consequence
• outcome
• sequel
• copy
• development
• sequence
• growth
• corollary
• aftermath
• fruit
• upshot
• denouement
• issue
• side effect
• duplicate
• repercussion
• facsimile
• replica
• aftereffect

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• source
• origin
• root
• prototype
• cause
• original
• reason
• archetype
• occasion
• determinant
• antecedent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of derivative

Adjective

Even Cyrus’ freakishly long nails and eerie voice are derivative of other horror movie boogeymen, but without their grasp of the uncannily malevolent. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Gifford believes the results bear on the legal question of whether models’ outputs are merely derivative works, with implications for copyright. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

In April, the FDA accepted an investigational new drug application for a drug that uses an ibogaine derivative, which researchers hope will provide the benefits of ibogaine, but without the hallucinogenic trip or potential heart toxicity. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Prediction market operators face conflicting rulings in federal court over whether sports event contracts are financial derivatives regulated exclusively by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or gambling products that states can regulate. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026