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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective original differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of original are fresh, new, and novel. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

Where would fresh be a reasonable alternative to original?

In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When can new be used instead of original?

The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick
new designs
starts the new job

When would novel be a good substitute for original?

The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

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 original
Adjective
The original demo was just an acoustic guitar and a vocal that Tucker Beathard [co-writer, along with Jimi Bell and Jon Sherwood] did. Were you involved in the decision to add Luke Combs to the song? Melinda Newman, Billboard, 18 June 2025 The first trailer for the game begins with a conversation between M, Bond’s classic superior and occasional foil, and Greenway, an original character described by IO Interactive’ website as a mentor figure (although no voice actors for the roles have been announced). Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025
Noun
Seasons 2 and 3, now Netflix originals, bow on June 29, 2018, and June 28, 2019. John Hopewell, Variety, 16 June 2025 Expect to see playing card motifs on everything from wall art to pillows, with eerie quotes plucked straight from the pages of Lewis Carroll’s original. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for original
Recent Examples of Synonyms for original
Adjective
  • The film added an additional $30 million overseas, propelling its initial worldwide tally to $60 million.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 June 2025
  • The project saw its construction costs triple from an initial request for proposals estimate of $54 million in 2021 to its final budget of $152 million, which was presented to the University of California Board of Regents for approval in 2022.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • That translates to seeking inspiration and motivation from artistic heritage through innovative methods.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Today, Valencia’s rich ceramic heritage is being reinvented by innovative artisans such as Ana Illueca and Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz of Canoa Lab, whose work is available to view and purchase through studio visits.
    Elizabeth Bennett, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • With classic brown sugar, taro, and novel seasonal flavors, the shop offers comfort in familiarity—trusted by generations and still blending tapioca pearls, fresh milk, and chewy yummies one cup at a time.
    Taryn White, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • This novel satellite system has allowed the researchers to produce the first ever full year of satellite tracking data over Canada, according to Western University.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • By 2019, his startup team had built a prototype and launched a DTC subscription model, pairing a predictable market with luxury branding.
    Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Seed funding from investors, accelerators, or venture funds helps founders take the first critical steps: building a prototype, hiring that first team member, or testing their idea in the real world.
    Rob Zielonka, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • American eccentrics like Walters long have provided material for satirists across the pond.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
  • There are dozens upon dozens of memorable eccentrics, delusional antiheroes, blustery authority figures, sad sacks, screw-ups and all-too-lovable schmucks that populate the 12 feature films and handful of shorts directed by Wes Anderson.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Lake was among Luminate’s top five CCM artists in the first half of 2024, and his star has only risen since then.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 June 2025
  • This is such a pivotal New York City song that Lorne Michaels asked Simon to sing it on the first SNL after 9/11.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • When Coppola picked up the American Film Institute’s lifetime achievement honor in April, his Megalopolis star Driver praised his creative ambitions with the film.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
  • Each match will consist of three periods of competition, highlighting cheerleading elements such as stunts, basket tosses, and tumbling, and concluding with a final-round creative routine.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Over at Brooks’s, Shai comes over and teaches him how to use his new sewing machine, which is a fascinating dynamic because Shai is an agent’s assistant while Brooks is a clothing designer.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • Nearly as important, though, is the fact that streaming continues to be a sizable fount of new viewers even after on-air and DVR viewing essentially stops.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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