Synonym Chooser

How does the verb originate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of originate are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of originate?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When can derive be used instead of originate?

While in some cases nearly identical to originate, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When is emanate a more appropriate choice than originate?

In some situations, the words emanate and originate are roughly equivalent. However, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of originate?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When might issue be a better fit than originate?

The meanings of issue and originate largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When is it sensible to use proceed instead of originate?

The words proceed and originate can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When would spring be a good substitute for originate?

While the synonyms spring and originate are close in meaning, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace originate?

Although the words stem and originate have much in common, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 originate His turban is black and tied in the Kenyan style, a smooth, tailored look that originated among Sikhs who immigrated to British East Africa. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 21 June 2025 One claims that the area’s name originates from the love story between the demigod Hercules and a nymph named Amalfi. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025 Roberts also directed a play Betts wrote, Screen Test: Take One, about a soap opera that originated on a film set. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025 The team behind this research theorizes that these filaments originate from within the radio galaxies of Abell 2255 and were dragged out by turbulent motion within the galaxy cluster. Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for originate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originate
Verb
  • Thomas officially began to practice and compete with the women's swimmers in Fall 2021.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • The first sign of trouble appeared last month after movers began hauling machinery out of a garment factory in the Sri Lankan suburb of Katunayake, the only one that Next operates in the South Asian nation with union representation.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • That means naming the fear, the confusion and even the shame that might arise.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As for cosmic weather this week, note that power struggles around ideas may arise on June 29, while July 4 could bring big ups, downs or spontaneity to relationships.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • As the euro and the dollar move in opposite directions, investors have started rebalancing their portfolios toward European equities.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • One of the notes came not long after jurors started deliberating and raised concerns from several jurors about another member of the panel.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But that appeared to have changed in recent months.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • European banks have meanwhile significantly boosted their profits over the last three years as central banks dragged interest rates out of a decade of ultra-low territory, a shift that appears to have been belatedly priced in this year — even with rates now falling .
    Jenni Reid,Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • In October 2022, the NFLPA commenced a System Arbitration alleging exactly that.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour, which commenced in 2022, launched a new North American leg in May with stadium dates through September.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • There are books upon books upon books, binders about the movie.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
  • Dunham had made a deck of the show — kind of a mood board/game plan for a television series — and there were photos of Stalter on it as the main character.
    Anna Peele, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originate. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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