originator

noun

ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce originator (audio)
Definition of originatornext
1
as in inventor
one who creates or introduces something new Thomas Edison was the originator of the light bulb

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor Copernicus is sometimes hailed as the originator of modern astronomy, for he overturned the notion of an earth-centered universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 originator Dan Osman, the originator of rope jumping, died in 1998 during a jump in Yosemite National Park in California. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 15 June 2026 The film, which was made in association with original studio Miramax, is the sixth installment in the franchise but the first in more than two decades to feature the series’ originators, the Wayans brothers. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026 These originators must be licensed and/or registered under the SAFE Act and must provide their unique identifying number (NMLS ID) for a loan to be completed. — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 Produced by the character's originator, Reese Witherspoon, the 1990s-period piece follows a young Elle (now portrayed by newcomer Lexi Minetree) in high school. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for originator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originator
  1. inventor
  2. founder
  3. designer
  4. creator
  5. father
  6. author
Noun
  • Stephen Wolfram is a distinguished scientist, inventor, author, and business leader.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In other words, American inventors hold roughly one-twentieth of the patents but about one-tenth of the value.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of inventor
Noun
  • Fawaz briefly brought me up to date on Singer’s story, which stretches back to 2008 when founder Rob Dickinson started working on his own 1969 Porsche 911E in Los Angeles.
    — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rounding out the Dialogues latest additions is Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, founders of Killer Films, also in conversation in Toronto.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • Entire product categories that were barely imaginable in 2020 are now weekend projects such as a tutor that converses in Mandarin, a paralegal that drafts and redlines, and a designer that produces forty variations before lunch.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Located on Lisbon’s famous Avenida da Liberdade, near designer boutiques, Valverde boasted a distinctive visual point of view that set it apart from the rest.
    — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of designer
Noun
  • Architect Francisco Urcola, icon and creator of San Sebastián’s Victoria Eugenia Theater and the Monumental Bullring in Seville, designed this place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In Detroit, El-Sayed posed for photos and participated in interviews with content creators at a backyard pool party before a final rally with supporters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Armstrong's family bought the home in 1944 after his father had moved them about a dozen times with his job as a government auditor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The first murder is a girl slicing into her slumbering mother’s neck with a hacksaw; then her brother pounds his father’s face in with a baseball bat.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of father
Noun
  • Unlike the low-tech solution in American author Mary Mapes Dodge's 19th-century story, modern dike patrols are able to plot possible problems caused by drought in an app and send it to authorities who can then quickly carry our repairs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on bestseller lists and has been translated into 40 languages, and Smarter Faster Better, also a bestseller.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of author

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Cite this Entry

“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of originator for Spanish Speakers

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