source 1 of 2

1
2
as in headwater
the beginning part of a stream 19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in reference
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information the professor asked the students to have at least five different sources for their papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

source

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word source distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of source are inception, origin, and root. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

When is inception a more appropriate choice than source?

While in some cases nearly identical to source, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of source?

The words origin and source are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When can root be used instead of source?

While the synonyms root and source are close in meaning, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

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 source
Noun
Either way, your new bedding just might invoke dreams of France: All Sijo linen is sourced from Normandy, which has a centuries-old tradition of producing top-notch linen. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 29 June 2025 Produce is sourced from local farms and gardens, and food waste is composted. Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Verb
Communities are encouraged to work together, removing food sources and actively hazing coyotes, to prevent them from becoming too comfortable around people. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025 My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for source
Recent Examples of Synonyms for source
Noun
  • In the eight years since Miller rose to fame and became an outsized antagonist on the American left, his Santa Monica villain origin story has been exhaustively documented, picked over and reanalyzed.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • No origin story, Gunn’s version begins with Superman having lost his first-ever battle off-camera, back in Metropolis.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Kerrville and west into the town of Hunt are the headwaters of the river.
    July 7, CBS News, 7 July 2025
  • On Saturday, May 24, the Seward Fire Department was dispatched to a rescue in the Fourth of July Creek headwaters amid reports that a 61-year-old male was underneath a boulder, a news release shared on Facebook confirmed.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Typically, riders will aim for between 90 to 120 grams of carbohydrate per hour — for reference, the UK medical guidelines for an adult male is around 275g for the entire day.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • This is Dunham laying bare for audiences once more — and only her true fans, raised being way too online, would get all the references to her lore.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The park also features large reflecting pools, rustic furnishings, fountains, urns, statuary, artificial ponds for fish and foul, a deer park, orchards, fields and more.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025
  • Detroit Metro Airport Travelers loved the fountain that looked like a flight map ExpressTram and other people movers helped fliers get around 9.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • When the handset was resting on the cradle, the line was closed.
    Larry Magid, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
  • To borrow from Walt Whitman, the Mooch is out of the cradle, endlessly rocking.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • And don’t let its age fool you: while the hotel feels connected to its roots, there’s nothing stuffy or antiquated about it.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • Inside, the design stays true to its minimalist roots.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The beginning is somewhat known, and the ending is clear.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2025
  • From acorn-sized beginnings to its towering oak tree proportions today, the concept of Citizenship by Investment (CIP) in the Caribbean has developed into a dependable source of foreign capital for countries.
    Jared Mccallister, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Wimbledon was a font of enviable wrist candy again this week, with celebrities showing off some stellar watches courtside.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
  • The name and number on the back, in Wanted Poster font, belonged to Zinedine Zidane.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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