1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of origin
As early as November, Brennan, along with former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, had been subpoenaed before a federal grand jury examining the origins of the Russia investigation, according to Fox News.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
One way to determine their authenticity (or lack thereof) is to hunt for their origin.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The Comments Section Became Its Own Destination Viewers from around the world have turned the video’s comment section into a running tribute to YouTube’s origins and the passage of time.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
The California governor tells his origin story.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
One way to determine their authenticity (or lack thereof) is to hunt for their origin.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The Comments Section Became Its Own Destination Viewers from around the world have turned the video’s comment section into a running tribute to YouTube’s origins and the passage of time.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
The California governor tells his origin story.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
-
Polls suggest that most people want owners to pay for their own stadiums, but sports teams are desired and beloved, a source not only of entertainment but also of civic pride.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Online personalities a source of division Though widely regarded at the conference as separate from Republicans, the conservative movement is predominantly united, Plano resident Bruce Dunn said.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
My in-room Japanese breakfast was another highlight, with hjiki seaweed and red snow crab, stems of earthy burdock root, crunchy snow pea with yuzu, and buttery, roasted Greenland halibut.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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These five artists have combined their Indigenous roots with revolutionary artistic techniques to preserve their cultures in the face of adversity.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hence a new lawsuit challenging a medical scholarship administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that bars applicants who don’t have Native Hawaiian ancestry.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In the Americas, only Chile and Colombia do not grant birthright citizenship, relying instead on jus sanguinis or citizenship based on ancestry rather than place of birth.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Humankind is bound to become a space-faring species, expanding beyond the bounds of Mother Earth, just as it, millions of years ago, spread out of its cradle in Africa.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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According to a Chef Rotanak Ros The Cambodian celeb chef known as Chef Nak shares her recipe for an invigorating weekend in the cradle of Khmer cuisine.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The changes will take effect April 3, marking the beginning of Teel’s third stint as CEO of Raley’s.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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At the beginning of their time on the stand at the trial in which Evans pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer and elected to have a jury assess her punishment, the witnesses answered prosecutors’ introductory questions with flat speech.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That experience introduced mo‘o—continuity, succession—as a guiding thread for the triennial, reminding me that everything exists in relation and within long lineages of care.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Stoudemire joins a lineage of Jewish basketball icons in the Hall of Fame, including Sue Bird, who was inducted last year, Nancy Lieberman, Nat Holman, Barney Sedran, Max Friedman and Dolph Schayes — the only other Jewish player to have his number retired in the NBA.—
Jacob Gurvis,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the foregone conclusion, clearly present at the genesis of the program, users on X reacted with heartbreak.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The genesis was in March of 2018.—
Jon McNeill,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The school has banners and big names to prove its hockey pedigree, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Titleless, yes, but by no means without royal pedigree, Peter Phillips was welcomed into the world with a 41-gun salute from the Tower of London.—
Stephanie Bridger-Linning,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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