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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of originator
Its owners expanded to a new downtown outpost, and later closed the Monterey Park originator.
—
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
These points are the compensation paid to a mortgage loan originator or MLO.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
Few if any of the originators attend now that the Santas are less social pariahs and law breakers and more fraternity brothers and junior bankers.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
On Wednesday, the 2025 CEW Beauty Awards kicked off with a heartfelt message from the awards’ originator, CEW president Carlotta Jacobson.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originator
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
These points are the compensation paid to a mortgage loan originator or MLO.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
Few if any of the originators attend now that the Santas are less social pariahs and law breakers and more fraternity brothers and junior bankers.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
On Wednesday, the 2025 CEW Beauty Awards kicked off with a heartfelt message from the awards’ originator, CEW president Carlotta Jacobson.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originator
Noun
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Students are invited to honor Black inventors by reimagining their creations as modern solutions, building entrepreneurial skills and sharing bold ideas with the audience.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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The first name considered for the award was the Eddie, after phonograph inventor Thomas Edison.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Berlin has fewer wealthy residents than Munich or Düsseldorf, and many of its homegrown brands remain small, leaving founders fearful of the rising costs of operating a store.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
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Here, Disney Petit, founder and CEO of excess inventory solution LiquiDonate, shares how to get more value out of returns and why sustainability can actually create cost savings.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And if department stores disappear, what happens to the designers and the brands that rely on them for distribution, credibility, and scale?—
Maura Brannigan,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Jessica Díaz, a graphic designer, thinks things are going well and doesn’t believe change is necessary.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hudnut will be aided by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who will also serve as an executive producer.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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The latter features performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists and other creators actively working in the recording industry.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Holly didn't have access to the safe except for brief times when it was opened by his father, according to the lawyer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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These abuses include the murder of inmates’ infants, a fact that galvanizes the pregnant Alouette (the father of her child, Étienne, is a quarryman) into joining a plan for escape through the Paris sewers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Peter Attia Peter Attia, an author and anti-aging influencer recently hired as a CBS News contributor, was mentioned more than 1,700 times in the new release of files.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Guthrie is also a New York Times bestselling author and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2022.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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