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
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Recent Examples of origin
Per reporting by left-leaning AlterNet, the initial victims' police report described a phone call where officers could hear Mills instructing the victim to lie about the origins of her bruises.
—
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The satellite is designed to map the entire sky in 3D and study the origins of the universe.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
This month, a new kind of space telescope is setting out on a two-year mission to create four complete maps of the entire celestial sky that will catalog the origins of the universe and seek out the ingredients of life − chiefly water and carbon dioxide molecules − in distant interstellar clouds.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Screenwriter Zak Penn—who wrote PCU with then writing partner Adam Leff—embraces his role as one of the rule’s parents and confirms its origins in their script.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
The satellite is designed to map the entire sky in 3D and study the origins of the universe.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
This month, a new kind of space telescope is setting out on a two-year mission to create four complete maps of the entire celestial sky that will catalog the origins of the universe and seek out the ingredients of life − chiefly water and carbon dioxide molecules − in distant interstellar clouds.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Screenwriter Zak Penn—who wrote PCU with then writing partner Adam Leff—embraces his role as one of the rule’s parents and confirms its origins in their script.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
Noun
-
For revenue from conference media deals, the department’s biggest source of income, the Seminoles projected $44.4 million in 2024 and $49.9 million in 2025, followed by a large jump to $78.9 million in 2026.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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Were any of your sources threatened for their participation?—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Featuring artists such as Talib Kweli, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terrace Martin, Jean Baylor, and Bilal, the album explores the roots of jazz and Hip-Hop while reimagining their possibilities for the future.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Mar. 2025
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Shabtai shows us a tattoo on his arm that’s a reminder of his grandmother and her roots.—
Andy Wang,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Most African Americans have sub-Saharan West African ancestry.—
Leah Small,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2025
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The transition to her new, cold home also could be difficult due to a cat's ancestry.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But in 2018, Dr. Scerri and her colleagues challenged the idea that East African grasslands were the single cradle of humanity.—
Carl Zimmer,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
All of this sits on a double cradle structure and dual backbone which helps with light sports riding and stability at high speeds by fusing suppleness and stability.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For example, in the experiment, oaths were more effective when they were placed at the end, just before participants reported their income, rather than at the very beginning of the game.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now down 2.1% since the beginning of President Donald Trump ’s second term.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The release marks the next evolution of OpenAI's flagship model lineage that has been an industry front-runner since the start of the generative-AI boom.—
Ina Fried,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
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After news of the narrator’s Hamas lineage broke last week, the BBC initially appeared to try and put distance between the narrator and his father, before subsequently saying it hadn’t been given the full information and adding a disclaimer.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Sports spoke with me about the genesis of this effort.—
Karen Weaver,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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What began as a therapeutic outlet — and a place for dad and child to bond — eventually turned into the genesis of Linn’s impressive career in the sport that continues this weekend at the USA Climbing Paraclimbing National Championships in Oakland, Calif.—
Kyle Newman,
The Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Unlike a lot of Fertitta properties, this one came with a pedigree — Teddy Roosevelt and Liza Minnelli had been regulars.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
26 Feb. 2025
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His familiarity with head coach Craig Berube, his winning pedigree and his competitive two-way game are incredibly attractive.—
Jonas Siegel,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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