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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of originator
Jordan stepped into the leading role on April 21 after originator Jonathan Groff departed and a short stint by Glee star Matthew Morrison.
—
Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Strip malls and data centers Vakoch's favorite early proponent of interstellar communication is Francis Galton, an English polymath (and, less admirably, the originator of eugenics during the Victorian era).
—Leonard David, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
This is the originator that’s still innovating.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Randy Wright was an eighth-grade civics teacher and is the originator of the Liberty Dollar Bill Act.
—Randy Wright, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for originator
Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Strip malls and data centers Vakoch's favorite early proponent of interstellar communication is Francis Galton, an English polymath (and, less admirably, the originator of eugenics during the Victorian era).
—Leonard David, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
This is the originator that’s still innovating.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Randy Wright was an eighth-grade civics teacher and is the originator of the Liberty Dollar Bill Act.
—Randy Wright, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for originator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originator
Noun
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Accompanying the report was a detailed sketch of Edison’s device, which the inventor called a phonograph.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
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Sentient Jet, the inventor of the jet card and a pioneer in the aviation industry since 1999, shares insights about what luxury travel actually looks like at this scale.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The wine list is impressive, which is no surprise considering one of the resort’s former sommeliers was Joseph Carr, founder of Josh Cellars.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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Curry is the founder and CEO of Thirty Ink, that includes businesses such as Unanimous Media, bourbon brand Gentleman’s Cut and 7k marketing consultancy.—
Justina Lee,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Shares of the Japanese technology investment giant, led by founder Masayoshi Son, have surged about 70% this year on investor enthusiasm over AI, buoyed by the soaring valuation of chip designer Arm Holdings and expectations that OpenAI could see a blockbuster initial public offering this year.—
Katie Foley,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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All rooms, including mine on the sixth floor (639), were updated in 2017 by American designer Ed Tuttle in a warm neutral and gold palette.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Incorporated into the city in 1860, this former hamlet was the haunt of Molière and the literati, and later a hotbed of Art Nouveau residences by architect Hector Guimard (the creator of Paris’s iconic Métro entrances).—
Mary Winston Nicklin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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The story takes place in Iran, where both Nayeri and Bell lived as children, and the creators’ affection for the setting shines through in their work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
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San Antonio's roster, meanwhile, features another son of a longtime pro in Dylan Harper, whose father, Ron, won five NBA championships in the span of six seasons with Chicago and the Lakers.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
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Besides Dara’s statement, what TJ says about his own father sheds some light on West.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Named one of the Ten Best Books of 2024 by the New York Times, this masterpiece of self-revelation chronicles the author’s gender transition in her late 60s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The Connaught Grill is a contemporary iteration of the 1955 Grill, loved by Bond author Ian Fleming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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