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 McCartney, who originated the role in London, promises a Broadway show that’s harder, faster, better — and packed with more high-tech onstage illusions including levitation and elaborate set pieces that arrive from all directions. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2025 Sega’s OutRun series is a franchise that originated from some of the most successful arcade games in the world during the 1980s. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025 Severe weather originating in Oklahoma shifted to Northwest Arkansas around midafternoon and swept east across the state Sunday. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2025 Considered the most luminous and most energetic explosions in the universe, two different types of GRBs are thought to originate from two mechanisms of stellar-mass black hole formation, Hakkila explained. Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for originate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originate
Verb
  • WrestleMania 41 Day 2 begins at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on Peacock in the United States, with the kickoff show starting an hour earlier.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Max subscription plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads while ad-free subscriptions cost $16.99 a month.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Montgomery County Public Schools, where the issue being contested arose, did not reply to TIME’s request for comment.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The other is informal, arising from civil society, in which gangs, strongmen, vigilante groups, neighborhood watches, and political and religious organizations enforce norms, frequently through violence.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Bobby manages to save Chimney, who falls ill and starts coughing up blood while responding to the lab blaze.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Vásquez has chosen the brown tops in two of his three road starts and lost both.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Federal prosecutors also appeared to reveal today that Combs had rejected an apparent plea deal.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Western fence lizards can darken in warmer temperatures, sometimes appearing black in color.
    Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In reality, the pricing-in may commence before the earnings are disclosed.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The 40-year-old Stearns came of age right as Pat Riley took over and the Knicks commenced their annual playoff battles with the Bulls, Pacers and eventually Riley’s Heat.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • There are two ways to watch the series through Fubo or Peacock.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • There are two Democrats seen as possible challengers to Schatz — Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the No. 3 Senate Democrat, and Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democratic appropriator — but neither has expressed public interest.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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