ORIGINAL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

original 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl

Definition of original

as in initial

coming before all others in time or order the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in innovative

having the skill and imagination to create new things an original artist who wanted his paintings to convey his emotional responses to the people, objects, and landscapes he painted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in novel

not known or experienced before separate categories for original and adapted screenplays

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

original

2 of 2

noun

as in prototype

something from which copies are made please make copies to hand out, but keep the original

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits the town's singing mailman is an original, all right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 only significant loss for the Gophers was guard Langston Reynolds, who transferred back to his original school, Northern Colorado. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Its original 2021 report examined the distance between UNC Charlotte and universities already in that category and identified investments in faculty, doctoral education and research support. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

The closer the re-creation would get to the original the better—and worthier of likes. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 But what really captivated me was his sound — a blend of rock and folk of the ’60s and ‘70s with a Latin American and Caribbean flair, in songs rooted in storytelling in both Spanish and English, including both covers and originals. — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for original

Recent Examples of Synonyms for original

Adjective

Sguros was listed as the informant on West’s death certificate, the affidavit said, and several months after the initial death investigation, Sguros was legally authorized to release West’s remains to a cremation service business.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
The initial demonstration establishes a technical milestone, but further testing and evaluation will determine its broader utility.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

During a half-hour speech, von Furstenberg reflected on major career milestones, like her first meeting with Diana Vreeland in 1970 and later being featured on the March 1976 cover of Newsweek in her innovative wrap dress.

— Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

Chef Williams Saurina adds his own touches, with novel spins on ceviche, zesty salsas flecked with pumpkin seeds, and aromatic Tikin Xic (sea bass with recado rojo, made from local achiote, wrapped in totomoxtle leaf).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Making collaboration count That same logic is also driving interest in sourcing pools—by no means a novel concept but one that has been discussed more in the abstract than put into practice.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of novel

Noun

The work demonstrates microbial coloration on garments at prototype scale, with one cape produced per batch.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
The prototype spacecraft generated an AI response from orbit using Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs).

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of prototype

Noun

It was approved by voters into the county charter in 2004 in an effort to preserve the area’s rural character and prevent high-density sprawl from stretching toward the Brevard County line.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
These private, elevated spaces so intrinsic to the character of the property will remain closed to the public while management seeks a practical solution.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of character

Adjective

That the first foreign policy message after the victory went to Moscow, and through a Russian state outlet, says a good deal about where the new government’s instincts lie.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
After a short teaser clip lit up the internet with news of their return, Dead Man’s Bones—the duo of Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields—are officially back with their first new music in 17 years.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

The prompts presented the assistant as a character in creative-writing exercises.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Industry support When Corral’s exit from Movistar Plus was announced last year, there was an outpouring of anger, grief and concern from Spain’s creative community that is rarely afforded to a commissioning executive.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of creative

Adjective

While Usher was off basking in the afterglow of Confessions, maturing into a divorcé in the mid-2000s, the R&B world was already priming itself for a new-school successor.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Many voters thank him for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of new

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origin

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Style

“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of original

adjective

noun

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