1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of origin
The airline described the sole survivor as a British national of Indian origin.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 June 2025
The sole survivor, the airline confirmed, was a British national of Indian origin.
—Greg Norman , Bradford Betz , Greg Wehner , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
But Thornton’s origins as a screenwriter and director aren’t part of that.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Immigrants are also more susceptible to invisibility as their credit file in the U.S. does not take into account their credit history in their origin country.
—Afshan Musani, CNBC, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 June 2025
The sole survivor, the airline confirmed, was a British national of Indian origin.
—Greg Norman , Bradford Betz , Greg Wehner , Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
But Thornton’s origins as a screenwriter and director aren’t part of that.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Immigrants are also more susceptible to invisibility as their credit file in the U.S. does not take into account their credit history in their origin country.
—Afshan Musani, CNBC, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
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At this point, the aircraft have no additional orders, sources said.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
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Pollinator pots are small containers designed to provide an easy source of nourishment for pollinators.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 June 2025
Noun
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To remove invasive vines, cut them back to the ground, dig out roots when possible, and apply herbicide directly to fresh cuts with care—never spray near desirable plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
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The root of omakase is creativity, and to that end, there’s also a whole lot of uniqueness of concept found even within the omakase realm – and for fans of omakase, there’s some incredible bucket-list experiences that must be enjoyed.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
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People of Mexican ancestry who live in border counties along the Rio Grande, for example, are likely more hawkish on immigration than, say, a Dominican American in Washington Heights in NYC.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
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People with African ancestry tend to have high porosity hair.12 Also, people with gray hair or light-colored hair and people of older age are more likely to have highly porous hair.12 Characteristics of High Porosity Hair High porosity hair can have various characteristics.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
4 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Where To Spend, Who To Support From its humble beginnings to becoming a worldwide celebration, Pride has always been political.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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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
Noun
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Previous studies have proven the existence of two lineages, northern Native American and southern Native American, which developed after people first arrived on the continent across an ice bridge from Siberia and started to move south.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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What has that looked like in practice, sharing the history, sonic lineages, and socio-political context involved in the making of electronic music?—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Two decades later, it’s become the genesis of Payton’s offseason philosophy, from New Orleans to Denver.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 June 2025
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Seventeen years after Plowshare’s genesis, Rio Blanco marked the very last underground detonation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Noun
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An entertainer's dream and rare waterfront offering—experience luxury lake living with a championship pedigree.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
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Led by Messi, a classy pedigree Miami has lived up to that billing — luring star players such as former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuaín and eventually landing the biggest of them all two years ago when signing Messi.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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