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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective original differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of original are fresh, new, and novel. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

Where would fresh be a reasonable alternative to original?

In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When can new be used instead of original?

The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick
new designs
starts the new job

When would novel be a good substitute for original?

The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

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 original
Adjective
The original series incorporated a lot of special effects, visual effects and stunts, which according to Krauss was not common for a multi-camera series geared towards children. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024 The recaps are currently available on Amazon MGM Studios original series, among them Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Upload, The Boys and The Wheel of Time. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Rather, the Dune actor has been slinging her belongings—and her boyfriend Tom Holland’s new beverage line—into the new Neverfull Inside Out in black cowhide leather, which is decidedly more discreet than the original. Alice Newbold, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024 Castle's tone here is more openly jocular than Whale's original, which chose a satirical approach over a parodic one. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for original 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for original
Adjective
  • The trust would be funded in installments over several years, beginning with an initial installment of about $65 million and growing by $10 million to $13 million for the next several years.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • On Thursday, the market will receive initial jobless claims data, offering a snapshot of the labor market’s health, along with the Producer Price Index (PPI) and core PPI data.
    Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Mettler-Toledo continues to focus on its global sales and marketing programs and highlights its innovative product portfolio as a key driver of growth.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Other innovative solutions are springing up to solve the concrete problem.
    Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Quoin entered into a research agreement with the University College Cork to develop novel topical formulations of rapamycin for rare diseases, with funding commitments of approximately €567,000 over 2.5 years.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • A bit further up in Greenpoint, there is a novel perspective offered from the same shore, a view of three borough skylines at once (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens).
    Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The company has developed several prototypes but requires further funding to continue development.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The company is now in the process of building three new prototypes, which will be subjected to both air and ground testing over the next 18 months.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The father and the mother are played by two of modern cinema’s most supremely talented eccentrics, Michael Shannon and Tilda Swinton.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024
  • Designers traditionally present themselves in public as preening demigods or fussy, difficult eccentrics, but neither is the vibe that Porte Jacquemus gives off.
    Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • As China’s first nuclear test in 1964 prompted India to test a weapon in 1974, which in turn drove Pakistan to accelerate its nuclear program and test a weapon in 1998, in the long run, Israel’s escalating military campaign may constitute Iran’s final incentive to cross the nuclear threshold.
    Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
  • The first third of the book is largely takes place in the faux-medieval village from Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.
    Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This makes Godot feel like a free-flowing, creative instrument users share and improve together as a radical hacker collective.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Alan Schoff: Schoff is a freelance creative director, arts advocate and entrepreneur who hosts Sideshow Indy, a pop-up art gallery space that organizes art exhibits and art engagement programs throughout Indianapolis.
    Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The triumphs and troubles of the new era all seem to stem from the fact that after years of clawing away at a new path, Shinoda feels like he’s found his counterpart again.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
  • American innovation today, such as the Pentagon’s Replicator program to rapidly field new high-tech weapons, is equally impressive—and equally insufficient.
    Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near original

Cite this Entry

“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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