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

Relevance

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
  • Norwegian inventor Jan Jacobsen quickly created a camera for specialized IMAX film.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
  • An upcoming episode about Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, takes aim at vaccine skeptics like her husband, the Daily Beast reported.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of inventor
Noun
  • The company was adding 18,000 square feet to 15 upper floors of the building, and the additional load caused two columns to bend, sagging the floors – some as much as 4 inches, Nathan Berman, founder and managing principal of MetroLoft, told CNN.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Spieker was the founder and former Chairman and CEO of Spieker Properties, one of America’s largest commercial-property companies, and is the car’s current custodian.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 10 July 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • The Belgian designer, who has previously been at the creative helm of Rochas, Nina Ricci, and Theory, presented a co-ed ready-to-wear collection.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • The first wind phone was created in 2010 by Japanese garden designer Itaru Sasaki after the loss of his cousin to cancer and then later was dedicated to lives lost in the 2011 tsunami.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of designer
Noun
  • Its creator, Rachel Warren, launched it as the Baltimore Keychain Library in August 2025.
    — Mary Eber, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Ethiopian content creator Kalu Putik has grabbed the attention of the fashion world with his outfits made from old clothes, shoes, and garbage scraps.
    — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Chalamet was also accompanied by his father, Marc Chalamet, who is originally from Nîmes, France.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • This exhausting existence has kept Lucky emotionally dependent on her father.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of father
Noun
  • Seuss Studios, for example, is a new imprint that allows diverse authors to pull unused Geisel illustrations and use them in new children’s books.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Comment Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 July 2026
Definition of author

Browse Nearby Words

originative
originator
originators
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on originator

Nglish: Translation of originator for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of obdurate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All