Synonym Chooser

How is the word origin distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of origin are inception, root, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

In what contexts can inception take the place of origin?

Although the words inception and origin have much in common, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When might root be a better fit than origin?

While in some cases nearly identical to origin, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When is source a more appropriate choice than origin?

The meanings of source and origin largely overlap; however, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

Examples 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 origin Pilgrimage symbols The symbols that Luce carries serve as a reminder of the origins of Christian pilgrimage, which began with visits to the Holy Land, the place where Christ lived his life. Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2025 Michelangelo Origin: Michelangelo is of Italian origin. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025 Advertisement While Sierra was being held in LAPD custody, officials determined the origin point of the Kenneth fire was in Ventura County, so the investigation has been turned over to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The committee’s members are mostly anonymous and the group’s origins are unknown. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for origin 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
  • Having a viable source of synthetic graphite produced from other forms of carbon is important for manufacturers of electric batteries, Abuelsamid said.
    Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The city relies extensively on the approval of state loans and other sources of funding that are under the governor’s purview.
    Alexandra Berzon, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • By targeting the root cause of climate change—greenhouse gas emissions—this recommendation provides a scalable solution with long-term benefits for ecosystems, weather stability, and global economies.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Set plants only deep enough such that their root collars (where branches meet the root system) are level with or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The rising French actor, who was named on Wednesday as Berluti’s new brand ambassador for 2025, is the grandson of New Wave icon Jean-Paul Belmondo and has both French and Italian ancestry.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Many Argentine people have Spanish, Italian and German ancestry.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Fell says the project is especially interested in Woodstock’s place in the Catskill Mountains, a former summer refuge for New York’s Jewish vacationers and a cradle of Borscht Belt comedy.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Or in his woodshop finishing a cradle for a great-grandchild.
    Rachel Dobkin, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Popular on Variety At the beginning, these demonstrations are at the margins of the film — more like background noise than an integral part of the plot.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
  • As a footnote: Kudos to the producers to honoring the legendary former host Peter Marshall with a mention at the beginning of the first episode.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The team sequenced 50 genomes from this single community and determined that the female lineage was dominant.
    Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The most dramatic beauty moment of the night, Stone tapped into a long lineage of iconic Hollywood short hair styles that have become timeless reference photos to take to one’s salon.
    Ashley Davis, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The cocktail has its genesis in a drink Scott Deigert, Pierpont’s bar director, created for his own wedding.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025
  • For those curious, Stay Out of the Basement was the second Goosebumps entry ever written when the publishing phenomenon quietly started in 1992, and Bob remembered its genesis.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Alex Bregman The veteran third baseman boasts championship pedigree and plenty of production over nine seasons with the Houston Astros, yet Bregman’s free-agent market has been slower to develop than expected.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Schottenheimer would bring experience and coaching pedigree to the mix.
    Vincent Frank, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near origin

Cite this Entry

“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on origin

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