1
as in origins
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
we were uncertain as to the source of the rumors a source of inspiration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in headwaters
the beginning part of a stream
19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in references
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the professor asked the students to have at least five different sources for their papers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sources
Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Plot details are under wraps, though sources tell us this is a cop film.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Oranges and orange juice are both rich sources of vitamin C, a nutrient that supports immune health, iron absorption, and tissue repair.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Reporting teaches students to verify sources and think critically — skills that serve them in college, careers and life.
—Beth Fertig, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Three of her key supporters had flipped their votes to Worrell, per City Hall sources.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
That said, many of the gains players made here won’t dramatically affect their bottom lines, and the reality is that most players on ECHL deals will still need those second jobs and other sources of income to continue to chase their dream of making it to the next level.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
Often, these light sources feel too harsh or too dim, casting an unappealing shadow across a living space.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Whenever using space heaters in a bathroom or kitchen, take all precautions to reduce the risk of electric shock whether that's positioning your heater away from water sources like sinks and showers.
—Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Plot details are under wraps, though sources tell us this is a cop film.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
Oranges and orange juice are both rich sources of vitamin C, a nutrient that supports immune health, iron absorption, and tissue repair.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Reporting teaches students to verify sources and think critically — skills that serve them in college, careers and life.
—Beth Fertig, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
Three of her key supporters had flipped their votes to Worrell, per City Hall sources.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
That said, many of the gains players made here won’t dramatically affect their bottom lines, and the reality is that most players on ECHL deals will still need those second jobs and other sources of income to continue to chase their dream of making it to the next level.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
Often, these light sources feel too harsh or too dim, casting an unappealing shadow across a living space.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sources
Noun
-
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Palestine and Lebanon all have sites with Phoenician origins.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The origins of Short’s Black Dahlia nickname date back long before her murder.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At 16, the Hoopa Valley tribal member was about to kayak more than 300 miles down the Klamath River from its headwaters in southern Oregon.—
The Editors,
Outside,
15 Dec. 2025
-
That’s true of everyone from headwaters to delta, farm to city.—
Brandon Loomis,
AZCentral.com,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Our references ranged from Elizabethan through to Georgian and Victorian, and from paintings and historical dress to contemporary fashion and representations of period costume in 20th-century films.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In the weeks leading up to trial, Baker has sought to limit references to Gaza and the defendants’ political views.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To manage jet lag, the artist documents a pre-show routine that includes coffee, a gym session, swimming and a shower, while citing Ozzy Osbourne as a source of inspiration.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The film, directed by Rush Hour and Hercules director Brett Ratner, documents Melania’s 20 days before her husband’s second presidential inauguration.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Added as part of the upgrades, Splashaway Bay, the childrens’ water park complete with water cannons, slides, and fountains, was a huge hit with my two kids, as was the trio of Perfect Storm waterslides.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The broken fountains have been something of a poster child for the federal government’s neglect of parkland in the city.—
Olivia George,
Washington Post,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The glaciers of Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi are the sources of one of those tributaries—the Río Napo.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most famous waterways, and its stretch of the Colorado River and its tributaries are protected.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Communities that are considered sanctuary cities would implement policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Police have arrested a 31-year-old Baltimore man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in the 2200 block of McCulloh Street, authorities said.—
Luke Parker,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Overwatering The main reasons orchid roots get mushy and cause leaf wilt are overwatering or poor drainage, according to Kondrat.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
-
According to Nitzsche, simmer pots have historical roots, with a presences across cultures.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sources.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sources. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
