Synonym Chooser

How is the word origin distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of origin are inception, root, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," 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

In what contexts can inception take the place of origin?

Although the words inception and origin have much in common, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When might root be a better fit than origin?

While in some cases nearly identical to origin, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When is source a more appropriate choice than origin?

The meanings of source and origin largely overlap; however, 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 origin The song came back to him years later, despite its traumatic origin. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025 Although it’s found being generated in many places, from outflows in Herbig-Haro objects to planetary nebulae, one origin story for dust outstrips all others. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025 The document did not confirm the origin of the equipment, but many such products are manufactured in China. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 In July, two veterans employed by GHF were attacked with grenades of Iranian origin, which are commonly used by Hamas, while delivering aid. Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
  • The Tesla is registered to 20-year-old David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, according to a senior LAPD source.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • During more than two hours of testimony, journalist Michael Shellenberger testified that sources had informed him that intelligence communities are in possession of numerous high-resolution photos and videos of the craft unlike any of the grainy imagery that has so far been declassified.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This Chardonnay is both a step forward and a nod to its roots, Myers says, as Chardonnay was one of the first grapes that founder Justin Baldwin planted in his vineyard.
    Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The problem is that standing water in the soil deprives roots of oxygen.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Unfortunately, many of the lions bore only partial genetic markers of Barbary ancestry.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Safe Black SpaceSafe Black Space is the umbrella under which various services are offered to address people of African ancestry’s individual and community reactions to cultural and racial trauma.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This project will also focus on creating a space with multicultural appeal, in the center of the cradle of the Renaissance.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The beginning of the evening was marked by an intimate performance on behalf of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
  • And targeting, torturing, and murdering political opponents, rivals, and critics have marked the conflict since its beginning.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The result is a Gen Z-meets-mini-Nicole moment that feels like a respectful nod to her famous family lineage.
    Olivia Allen, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Agriodontosaurus shows us that the earliest members of the lizard lineage were far more diverse and had a much broader range of feeding strategies than previously imagined.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For Guillermo del Toro, seeing the 1931 version starring Boris Karloff was the genesis of his own career.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Speaking about the genesis of the project, Doyle said Supermassive was heavily inspired by The Thing.
    Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Unlike the Panthère—crowned the it girl watch of the 2020s—or the Tank Française, with its royal pedigree, the Demoiselle remained overlooked.
    Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The feel of the game betrays the development team’s excellent Super Mario Odyssey pedigree.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on origin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!