Synonym Chooser

How is the word inception distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of inception are origin, root, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When could origin be used to replace inception?

The words origin and inception 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 is root a more appropriate choice than inception?

The synonyms root and inception are sometimes interchangeable, but root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When can source be used instead of inception?

While the synonyms source and inception are close in meaning, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

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 inception The revenue shortfall experienced by Social Security is almost entirely the product of rising economic inequality in the U.S. At Social Security’s inception, the payroll tax was set at a rate that would cover about 92% of taxable wage earnings. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 The international expansion comes after Anti Social Social Club had largely stuck to its direct-to-consumer, drop model since its inception. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 13 June 2025 Fellows, who is a Gilroy native, says the event has pumped $12 million back into the community since its inception. Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025 Since its inception, the CHNV program allowed over 500,000 individuals to enter the United States. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inception
Noun
  • Trump can celebrate the beginning of summer with a big win.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 5 July 2025
  • The beginning is somewhat known, and the ending is clear.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Harvard University graduates attend the university’s 374th commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • Alternative starting points could include the presentation of renderings, an application for permits, the purchasing of building supplies or the commencement of construction.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • When did the partnership between Krispy Kreme and McDonald's start?
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • As of midnight, the Heat has not yet made any roster moves since the 6 p.m. start of free agency.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • What's especially remarkable is that the system can recreate the user's own voice, thanks to a voice cloning algorithm trained on recordings made before the onset of ALS.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Severe or repeated vomiting and sudden onset chest pain are two parts of what’s called the Mackler Triad, the trio of signs suggestive of Boerhaave syndrome.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Anderson Cooper was forced to evacuate while filming live in Tel Aviv after an alarm warned of an upcoming missile launch from Iran.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • That’s how many people Lutnick claims registered for the $5 million Trump Gold Card visa on its website in the days immediately following the website’s June 11 launch.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The journey is a perilous and illuminating one, as Jamie and Isla encounter hordes of infected, as well as an alpha, a hulking and seemingly intelligent evolution of the infected.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 June 2025
  • Whether this alpha prototype leads to genuine commercial deployment or joins the long list of impressive robotics demonstrations that failed to find market applications will determine not just Humanoid's fate, but potentially the trajectory of the entire humanoid robotics sector.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inception. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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