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
Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
According to two sources, the US military is preparing for operations that could continue for several days.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2026
And sources at two different talent agencies told me Sarandos had had productive conversations with agents there, pledging, among other things, that the streaming giant would allow divisions of the merged company to bid against each other for a project.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
While the listing brokerage declined to confirm the buyer, multiple sources identify the new owner as internet streamer Adin Ross, who publicly discussed the purchase during a Kick livestream and has already shared plans to transform the property into an immersive tribute to the series.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2026
Our approach to pest management focuses on reducing food sources, improving waste containerization, and correcting structural conditions that allow rats to thrive.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
One of the sources said the object was a balloon.
—Clara McMichael, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Two sources who attended the party described witnessing a loud verbal exchange between Nick Reiner and his parents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Official casualty figures are kept strictly out of the public gaze, although estimates from multiple sources indicate losses that are eye-wateringly high.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Interim executive director David White, former NFLPA president and eventual chief strategy officer JC Tretter and American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti are on the list, two sources briefed on the matter confirmed to The Athletic.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
According to two sources, the US military is preparing for operations that could continue for several days.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Feb. 2026
And sources at two different talent agencies told me Sarandos had had productive conversations with agents there, pledging, among other things, that the streaming giant would allow divisions of the merged company to bid against each other for a project.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
While the listing brokerage declined to confirm the buyer, multiple sources identify the new owner as internet streamer Adin Ross, who publicly discussed the purchase during a Kick livestream and has already shared plans to transform the property into an immersive tribute to the series.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2026
Our approach to pest management focuses on reducing food sources, improving waste containerization, and correcting structural conditions that allow rats to thrive.
—Elle McLogan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
One of the sources said the object was a balloon.
—Clara McMichael, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Two sources who attended the party described witnessing a loud verbal exchange between Nick Reiner and his parents.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Official casualty figures are kept strictly out of the public gaze, although estimates from multiple sources indicate losses that are eye-wateringly high.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sources
Noun
-
Gomis, who has Bissau-Guinean and Senegalese origins, wrote and directed the film which stars a mix of actors and newcomers, leading with Katy Correa and D’Johé Kouadio as a mother-and-daughter duo.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
-
While the origins are still debated, the festival shows the goat’s long association with Ireland’s landscapes and community life.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In recent years, high-elevation residents have been detected near Donner Lake and the headwaters of the American River's north fork.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The headwaters of the South Platte are located in the mountains of Park County near Fairplay.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the settlement, Buckfire agreed to remove all references to race as eligibility or selection criteria and clarify that its scholarships do not give preference to any student based on race or ethnicity.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The Illinois governor's name appears about two dozen times in the Epstein files — all references to news stories with Pritzker in the headline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the Mojave, Weston saw Joshua trees as majestic extraterrestrials; Connell documents a nameless stump decorated with sneakers.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
D4vd was on tour at the time the car was impounded, the court documents state.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In October, to commemorate the first anniversary of Che Guevara’s assassination, Paksa and five other artists dyed red the water in the fountains outside the Senate building.—
Daniel R. Quiles,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
These details help fountains blend more naturally into the surrounding landscape.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Many Maryland watermen have been stuck on land for weeks because parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries remain frozen over, leaving some oystermen out of work during peak season.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Iranian authorities warned that a retaliatory response would be crushing.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Colt Gray surrendered to police and has admitted to the shooting, according to authorities.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Jackson family wanted to make sure their patriarch, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, returned to his roots on the East Coast.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Its slender stems branch out from the mother plant and form roots wherever the leaf nodes touch the soil.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sources.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sources. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
