1
as in origins
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
we were uncertain as to the source of the rumors a source of inspiration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in headwaters
the beginning part of a stream
19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in references
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
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 sources
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
In addition to its own facility, the company has partnered with a group of garment manufacturers and mills in the region to create localized sources for everything from fabric to finishing while helping to satisfy its customers’ demands.
—Sj Studio, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Jake moved things on by speaking to senior figures in UK drama, with informed sources saying Doctor Who will stay off air until at least 2028 and maybe longer.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 June 2026
For her work, dealing with concepts of race, queerness, femininity, and beauty, Thomas equally draws inspiration from art history, popular culture, and African textiles, among other sources.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
In its four-page closing statement, the Justice Department emphasized that career antitrust regulators — not political appointees — had performed a rigorous review, sifting through some two million documents the government received from dozens of sources, including third-party organizations.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The analysis focused on a subset of the data where a definitive match could be made between the two sources.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Leash pets and keep them away from the edge of water sources.
—Eva Flowe
june 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Looming in the backdrop are two sources of financial uncertainty.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Noun
While sources said a signing ceremony could be held in Switzerland in the coming days, Iran’s foreign minister suggested the signing could take place remotely.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
In addition to its own facility, the company has partnered with a group of garment manufacturers and mills in the region to create localized sources for everything from fabric to finishing while helping to satisfy its customers’ demands.
—Sj Studio, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
Jake moved things on by speaking to senior figures in UK drama, with informed sources saying Doctor Who will stay off air until at least 2028 and maybe longer.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 June 2026
For her work, dealing with concepts of race, queerness, femininity, and beauty, Thomas equally draws inspiration from art history, popular culture, and African textiles, among other sources.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
In its four-page closing statement, the Justice Department emphasized that career antitrust regulators — not political appointees — had performed a rigorous review, sifting through some two million documents the government received from dozens of sources, including third-party organizations.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
The analysis focused on a subset of the data where a definitive match could be made between the two sources.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Leash pets and keep them away from the edge of water sources.
—Eva Flowe
june 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Looming in the backdrop are two sources of financial uncertainty.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sources
Noun
-
Young Washington, a narrative look at the American president’s origins starring Ben Kingsley, Mary-Louise Parker, Kelsey Grammer and Andy Serkis, will debut Saturday at the Tribeca Festival in New York.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
-
As expected, many of the other genes came from either the Asgard archaea or Alphaproteobacteria, consistent with the big-picture model of our origins.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Those seasonal streams are often headwaters and places where sensitive species like native trout go to spawn, says Wood.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
19 Nov. 2025
-
The headwaters of the Big Thompson River snake across an emerald plain, past beaver dams and aspen groves and toward the highest peaks of the Front Range.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The biblical messages are references to the story of Noah’s ark, which states that the rainbow is a symbol of a covenant between God and all living creatures.—
Laurence Miedema,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
Melissa’s ’80s look Lisa Ann Walter came in with ’80s references for Melissa’s look.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The system also documents [the products that] will underperform, which is often the call merchants care about most, because killing the wrong bets early frees capital for the right ones.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
-
The film, which combines interviews and archival footage with reenacted stories from Cucinelli’s life, documents the rise of the King of Cashmere.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Tourists can tear up at Firefighter Memorial Fountain, capture the picturesque Rose Garden Fountain at Loose Park and sink into the history of not just fountains, but neighborhoods, cultural landmarks and public art across the city.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
While beloved for its amusement park, the popular attraction also features flower gardens, bubble fountains, and an aquarium.—
Elizabeth Preske,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Nearly 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the river and its tributaries during eight days after a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line ruptured in mid-January.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The federal authorities in July also asked for information on incidents of election fraud from Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, who does not oversee elections like her counterparts in other states.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Municipal authorities in Gaza City warned residents Wednesday to avoid low-lying areas, saying the rain threatened to displace thousands of families from temporary shelters again with no suitable alternatives available.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The 36-year-old entrepreneur from Stanford, Connecticut, moved to Mexico City last year to reconnect with the roots of his late grandparents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Heat and moisture accumulate around the leaves, stems, and roots of plants, and supplementing soil with acetate exacerbates the risk of microbial contamination.—
Derek Norman,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sources.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sources. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
