1
as in inventors
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 creators
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 originators
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
About 146 years after that White House dinner, the originators behind McDonald’s began the relentless mission of making sure French fries, and the overall McDonald’s brand, were forever entangled with America.
—Amanda Hancock, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The new locale expands the options while keeping the menu concise, introducing dishes that have nothing to do with dough and everything to do with the emotional connection had by their originators.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Fortune reported this weekend that loan originators were imposing increasingly strict legal terms into private credit deals, a sign that lenders sense trouble on the horizon.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
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
About 146 years after that White House dinner, the originators behind McDonald’s began the relentless mission of making sure French fries, and the overall McDonald’s brand, were forever entangled with America.
—Amanda Hancock, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The new locale expands the options while keeping the menu concise, introducing dishes that have nothing to do with dough and everything to do with the emotional connection had by their originators.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Fortune reported this weekend that loan originators were imposing increasingly strict legal terms into private credit deals, a sign that lenders sense trouble on the horizon.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originators
Noun
-
Its inventors were bored Ivy Leaguers who played it while waiting for the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Lead author Katrin Svensson and co-author Laetitia Coassolo are listed as inventors on patents related to BRP peptides.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Among the creators hopping on the bandwagon, who have been aggregated by mainstream media that includes ESPN and Men in Blazers, are accounts with ties to offshore betting sites and other esports promotions.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
-
But a good producer should always think ahead, said Bauer – and wear many hats, just like new creators who come from YouTube and TikTok.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Web developers and digital designers These workers build websites and apps, employing both coding and visual design skills.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
The new season will be bigger than ever with 22 designers from different backgrounds slated to compete.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
One of the two co-founders of the political group is Chris Stewart, Maloy’s predecessor in Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Aardman co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton, the company’s star director Nick Park and Executive Creative Director Sarah Cox hit the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Sunday for a masterclass celebrating the studio’s 50th anniversary.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Jolted by a feeble office market, a growing number of developers are considering ways to convert their office properties to other uses, such as housing projects.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
The massive crowd lined up to speak and demand that lawmakers impose new restrictions on developers who want to build what were once single-family lots.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Immediate, basinwide water cuts that are unprecedented in size are the only way to prepare for the potential of a relatively dry winter, the authors wrote in the analysis.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
-
Forsythe, Neumann and Nelson would later be among the 19 co-authors of the 2008 paper.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Though strictly a fathers club, the group, Nieves said, has grown thanks to wives and partners sharing his social media posts with their husbands.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Golf provides the perfect setup for fathers to bond with their sons and daughters.—
John Dunlap,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Originators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originators. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
