1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of origin
Per reporting by left-leaning AlterNet, the initial victims' police report described a phone call where officers could hear Mills instructing the victim to lie about the origins of her bruises.
—
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The satellite is designed to map the entire sky in 3D and study the origins of the universe.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
This month, a new kind of space telescope is setting out on a two-year mission to create four complete maps of the entire celestial sky that will catalog the origins of the universe and seek out the ingredients of life − chiefly water and carbon dioxide molecules − in distant interstellar clouds.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Screenwriter Zak Penn—who wrote PCU with then writing partner Adam Leff—embraces his role as one of the rule’s parents and confirms its origins in their script.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The satellite is designed to map the entire sky in 3D and study the origins of the universe.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
This month, a new kind of space telescope is setting out on a two-year mission to create four complete maps of the entire celestial sky that will catalog the origins of the universe and seek out the ingredients of life − chiefly water and carbon dioxide molecules − in distant interstellar clouds.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Screenwriter Zak Penn—who wrote PCU with then writing partner Adam Leff—embraces his role as one of the rule’s parents and confirms its origins in their script.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
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Our fact-check sources Matt Reagan, Feb. 20, Phone interview with USA TODAY Thank you for supporting our journalism.—
Kate S. Petersen,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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Cease, who avoided arbitration and signed a one-year contract worth $13.75 million, is an upcoming free agent at the end of the season and has been a constant source of trade rumors.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But these are temporary fixes that fail to address the root cause: a healthcare system that is failing to match the supply with demand.—
Renee Hsia,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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This allergy medication targets the root of the problem that causes red, scaly and itchy skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Most African Americans have sub-Saharan West African ancestry.—
Leah Small,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2025
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The transition to her new, cold home also could be difficult due to a cat's ancestry.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Imagine visitors from around the world paying tribute to the cradle of civilization, enjoying all of Syria's majestic nature and history in safety and security.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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His lightning-quick, single-leg takedown went right into a cradle.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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What led people to that conclusion was a shot of a laptop showing a gambling site at the beginning of the video; also visible was the shadow of another person seen in the window reflections, which many alleged was the drone pilot himself.—
Dimitar 'Mix' Mihov,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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At the beginning of the Olympics, for the U.S., there were no stakes.—
Ken Dryden,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The story—Franklin had appreciatively sung back to her a line from the performance—might have been the lead anecdote in a profile of Erivo that sought to place her in a lineage of distinguished vocalists.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Sidney Crosby’s 2010 Golden Goal was part of a long lineage of U.S. disappointment in best-on-best tournaments against Canada.—
Alex Kirshner,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The genesis of it all was that Perry decided that Jane’s Addiction was gonna break up.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
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Giving back That idea was the genesis of the WM Phoenix Open Working for Tomorrow FundSM that was created in 2024 to support emissions reduction, sustainable materials management and water management projects.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Not only from a profile and pedigree perspective, but in terms of adding further burdens to a wage bill that was already teetering on the edge.—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
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The multi-use gym is located in the heart of the school’s athletic complex, next to the football stadium that hosts Saturday night games, the softball field and the baseball diamond, both boasting of state championship pedigree.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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