offshoot

noun

ˈȯf-ˌshüt How to pronounce offshoot (audio)
Definition of offshootnext
1
as in limb
a branch of a main stem especially of a plant we knew the rosebush had survived the harsh winter when it began producing offshoots and turning green again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in derivative
something that naturally develops or is developed from something else opened a shop selling fancy foods as an offshoot of their very successful restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 offshoot Vagmaxxing seems the logical offshoot of a trend that prizes unreasonable, unrealistic body modification to the point of impossible AI perfection and transhumanism—scary enough! — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026 Al Jazeera gave a prime-time slot to Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was widely regarded as the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, an influential Islamist group with offshoots around the world—including Hamas. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 There’s no end to the constant stream of offshoots, including doomgaze, grunge-gaze, twang-gaze, and surf-gaze. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 In early 2026, Yari unveiled his specialty offshoot Magenta Edge to acquire and release indie films on theatrical and ancillary platforms. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offshoot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offshoot
  1. limb
  2. derivative
  3. outgrowth
  4. derivation
  5. sprout
  6. derivate
  7. shoot
  8. growth
Noun
  • Atwell displays a balletic athleticism while Hiddleston is all enthusiastic limbs and snake hips.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • When a sensor detected the left or right forelimb moving, the hub sent a limb-specific pulse through the body that reached an implant on the corresponding hind leg, which stimulated the sciatic nerve and made that leg twitch.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of limb
Noun
  • Prediction market platforms say event contracts, no matter the category, are a financial derivative.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • But increasingly, Americans are turning to newer, more potent products made with a semi-synthetic kratom derivative, 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of derivative
Noun
  • Vaccine skepticism is also in some ways an outgrowth of our modern wellness culture.
    — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Then comes outgrowth, three or four hours of rebuilding the proteins and machinery of a working cell.
    — Canan Karakoç, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of outgrowth
Noun
  • Language itself was an obsession, with many family dinners ending with Davis pulling out his unabridged Oxford English Dictionary to share the derivation of a word.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of derivation
Noun
  • The unusually large amount of water allowed millions of seeds and bulbs to sprout and bloom, many of them after remaining dormant for decades.
    — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Sometimes your potatoes will be not be super clean with little sprouts and little rotten bits that need to be cut off.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprout
Noun
  • While Apple shares were up more than 4% in trading Friday, all of the derivate plays were trading in the red.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 1 May 2026
  • With unique enough lore and a unique style, Saxon avoids making a derivate fable.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Definition of derivate
Noun
  • Production materials reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter indicate that, at the end of the 34-day shoot in September 2025, the film was considered on-schedule.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • On location for the night shoots, blizzards, and allergic reactions that went into making Primetime.
    — Sinna Nasseri, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of shoot
Noun
  • Meanwhile, job growth is in healthcare, construction, and management.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, is portrayed as a saintly figure who espouses a model of growth based on truth, patience, and moderation, much to the frustration of his pupil.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of growth

Browse Nearby Words

offsetting
offshoot
offshoots
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Cite this Entry

“Offshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offshoot. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on offshoot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about offshoot

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