Synonym Chooser

How does the verb originate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of originate are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of originate?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

When can derive be used instead of originate?

While in some cases nearly identical to originate, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When is emanate a more appropriate choice than originate?

In some situations, the words emanate and originate are roughly equivalent. However, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of originate?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When might issue be a better fit than originate?

The meanings of issue and originate largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When is it sensible to use proceed instead of originate?

The words proceed and originate can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When would spring be a good substitute for originate?

While the synonyms spring and originate are close in meaning, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace originate?

Although the words stem and originate have much in common, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 originate The team behind this research theorizes that these filaments originate from within the radio galaxies of Abell 2255 and were dragged out by turbulent motion within the galaxy cluster. Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 June 2025 The Evolution Of Call Authentication In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated carriers implement STIR/SHAKEN call authentication, which works by originating and terminating service providers verifying the caller is authorized to use the number. James Garvert, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Make Music Day originated in France in 1982 and has become a major event. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 Bombay Chili Crunch originated as one of Sheth’s sauces during her recipe development. Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for originate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originate
Verb
  • De Los Reyes began working for Elite Security as a bag-checker at Petco Park during the 2007-08 baseball season.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • The Real Housewives of London began production in March 2025, with six bold, dynamic, and successful socialites showcasing the luxury of living in the UK’s iconic capital.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Suddenly Flips First, in diversity of citizenship cases (as here), the federal courts will apply their own procedural rules but they are also required to apply the substantive rules of the state from where the action arises.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • The summer solstice occurs because of a 23.5 degree tilt in Earth's rotational axis that may have arisen when an ancient Mars-sized body slammed into our planet billions of years ago, triggering the formation of our moon.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Iran had been in negotiations with the US for about two months, but called them off after Israel started bombing its territory.
    Sara Braun, Fortune, 22 June 2025
  • The transition won’t be easy, but Carboni’s goal eases some of the pressure that was already starting to build ahead of next week’s game against River.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • At a meeting Tuesday morning, Collier County commissioners appeared to have been caught off guard by the state’s plans for the Everglades airfield.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • Iran's retaliatory strikes on Monday at the largest U.S. military base in the region appeared to offer an off-ramp to Trump and the United States to prevent further escalation -- something Trump embraced in his social media response to the attacks.
    Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The Carabao Cup will begin in mid-August, with Premier League teams not playing in Europe entering in the second round, which starts in the week commencing August 25, and the remaining seven clubs receiving a bye to the third round, which takes place in the weeks commencing September 15 and 22.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • These delays at the ISA, in turn, have frustrated corporate actors, like The Metals Company (TMC), which are keen to commence commercial-scale operations in international waters.
    Time, Time, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • While there are concerns that human rights issues are not center stage in this agreement, there is little leverage the U.S. has in the region for societal change.
    Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • There are also a handful of regional airports, including Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern and Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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