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
The funding necessary for this initiative will be sourced from various revenue streams generated by the universities. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025 The information found within this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
They are linked to a single source, the county health department said June 9. Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 But now in late May, insider Jeff Sneider and John Rocha discussed the report again, saying that trustworthy sources said that the plan was for The Punisher was to join forces with Spider-Man to fight against The Hulk. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for source
Recent Examples of Synonyms for source
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Claire and Owen are raising Maisie, keeping her as under-the-radar as possible, lest she be found and experimented on by scientists enthralled by her unique origin.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 27 June 2025
  • The act’s origin dates to 1994 in Little Rock, Ark.
    Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The Kissimmee was the headwater to that entire process.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Shingle Creek is the headwaters of the Everglades — an ecosystem that needs to be protected, right next to International Drive.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • That’s less of a reference to the tour de force singer and songwriter’s 2019 live album and documentary concert film of the same name, but more a nod to true-to-life, Lone Star State homecoming traditions.
    Amber Elliott, Vogue, 30 June 2025
  • While stablecoins have emerged as crypto’s dominant payment mechanism, a subtler shift may be underway: the emergence of Bitcoin not just as a store of value, but as a reference benchmark, a unit of account for global assets and financial flows.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • One of those homers landed in the outfield fountains at The K. In his career, Ohtani is hitting .359 with 11 homers, 29 RBIs and a 1.270 OPS in 27 games against the Royals.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
  • In those days, the water that gushed from the fountain at the sprawling cemetery south of Tehran was dyed red to honor the blood of Iran’s martyrs.
    Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • There’s also a separate accessory cradle to hold the combination and crevice tools, pet tool, flexible tool, and dust bags.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The president was undeterred, and the flights resumed the very next day, filled with cardboard file boxes that had been repurposed into makeshift cradles.
    Jim Axelrod June 9, CBS News, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Wang’s team compared the highly active genes in both rabbits and mice after injury and traced the roots of this difference to a gene called Aldh1a2, which was strongly activated in rabbits and remained inactive in mice.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
  • The roots of the Phlegms begin with McKitrick, who grew up in Houston, Texas, and Williams, who is from Little Rock.
    Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • After missing four games due to a concussion and an illness at the beginning of June, Bueckers has been on a tear.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
  • Bulls will point to yesterday’s event as just the beginning of an exciting path of growth.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Printed in a wistful italic font and decorated haphazardly with doves, shooting stars, butterflies and the Rialto Bridge, the invitation appears homemade, but not in an artisanal sense.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
  • The numbers are the Knighted Eras font with Polaris star perforations.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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