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 An agent identity without that originator context is incomplete, and so is any audit trail that shows which agent acted but not under whose authority or why the action was permitted. — Shashwat Sehgal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Swig, the originator of the dirty soda craze, has signed a 13-unit development deal with a local franchisee to open the drive-thru-centric soda shops in locations that will include Naperville, Crest Hill, Romeoville and Bolingbrook. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Franchise originator Oren Peli is set to produce for Solana Films, with James Wan and Jason Blum producing for Blumhouse Atomic Monster. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 June 2026 There can be little doubt that the Authentic is the most famous shoe of its style today, but that isn’t the same as being the originator. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 26 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
  • Sentient Jet Sentient Jet is the inventor of the Jet Card, which allows users to buy 25 hours of flights at a time and choose the aircraft size that fits their needs.
    — Debra Kamin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The continent’s inventors are in the spotlight as Johannesburg prepares to host the final of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa prize.
    — Leah Quinn, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of inventor
Noun
  • Ideas my co-founder Fredrik and I used to dream up in a taxi and ship within a week now needed to be cross-checked by dozens of people across half as many departments.
    — Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Why Airbnb’s founder became its chief recruiter Chesky thinks he was born a good founder.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • Sarah Paulson, in custom Ferragamo, had designer Maximilian Davis on her arm.
    — Freya Drohan, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield raised eyebrows at his 80th birthday party at the Lowell Hotel with a group of nearly naked male models body-painted in safari garb.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of designer
Noun
  • Disney offered creators a wide variety of future opportunities, including set visits, press junkets and red carpet interviews with talent.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Deepfake memes grant a similar carte blanche to their creators, while introducing even pricklier questions about race and authenticity.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Cassegrain is the company’s third-ever CEO, following his father and grandfather.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Born in Los Angeles in 1954 to parents who hailed from Chicago, his father, Warren, founded a tape duplication service and later served as vice president of sales at Sussex Records, which produced acts like R&B crooner Bill Withers.
    — Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of father
Noun
  • This realization has helped lead to the creation of a bench with life-size statues of 19th century author Robert Louis Stevenson, his wife Fanny Stevenson and their Irish setter cocker spaniel ChuChu.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The author argued that the unrest reflected deeper failures by France’s political establishment.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of author

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originative
originator
originators
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Cite this Entry

“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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