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 tankers, which were not Iranian in origin, had been stuck in the Gulf for more than three months after Tehran effectively closed Hormuz early in the war, Kpler analysts said in a Tuesday note.
—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
After a 2009 legal settlement resolving a bitter feud over the company’s origins, Straubel was officially recognized as a cofounder alongside Musk, Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, and Ian Wright.
—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Tom Holland's nickname for Zendaya has an adorable origin.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Rollerena understood the value of an origin story.
—
Emilie Hardman,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
After a 2009 legal settlement resolving a bitter feud over the company’s origins, Straubel was officially recognized as a cofounder alongside Musk, Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, and Ian Wright.
—
Rachel Ventresca,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
Tom Holland's nickname for Zendaya has an adorable origin.
—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Rollerena understood the value of an origin story.
—
Emilie Hardman,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
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Under state law, any single gift — or multiple gifts from the same source that add up to $50 or more during the annual period — must be disclosed.
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In conversations with nearly a dozen sources close to the White House, most of whom requested anonymity to discuss private interactions, allies of the president and vice president said Trump isn’t sold on Vance as his 2028 pick.
Noun
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Aniston, on the other hand, leaned into the shoe's casual roots, wearing hers with jeans and a tank top for a relaxed look that felt quintessentially summer.
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The dynamic Sun in your 9th House of Exploration quincunxes powerful Pluto in your 4th House of Home, so growth calls while roots demand attention.
Noun
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In a similar vein, Vice President Vance has claimed that Americans who can trace their ancestry to those who fought in the Civil War are more American than those who can’t.
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Thomas added that Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotional foundations, while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success.
Noun
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The club retired the cradle of Louis XIV from its badge—a symbol of Saint-Germain as a suburban town 20 kilometers outside Paris, where the kings once lived.
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However, the country’s history draws parallels with Atlanta’s own identity as a cradle of civil rights activism.
Noun
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The United Nations estimates that gang violence has killed over 2,300 people in Haiti since the beginning of this year.
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In the beginning, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the seedlings before switching to one with phosphorus and potassium after the plants have started to sprout.
Noun
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Future investment must prioritize data infrastructure, as robust data lineage will be a key competitive moat for physical AI's advancement.
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And whereas Fischer described without judgment the family patterns, social customs, and religious lineage of his four groups, Reynolds contrasts his two on ideological and ultimately moral grounds.
Noun
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In a surprise treat for the Annecy audience, Aardmann co-founder Peter Lord took to the stage to interview Bird about the genesis and inspiration for the project.
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The genesis of its Beantown moniker dates to roughly that same time period when Puritans learned about baked beans from Native Americans, who cooked beans with maple syrup, salt, corn, and deer meat.
Noun
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Wagler was elite this season at Illinois despite his lack of pedigree.
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Brazilian fans had been waiting for a star to shine and for the five-time World Cup champions to live up to their pedigree.
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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