1
as in sources
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 roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lineages
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 origins
Developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the series expands the mythology of Derry, Maine, exploring the origins of Pennywise, the malevolent entity at the center of King’s iconic story.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Senior curator Dag Spicer said understanding the origins of technology is key to making sense of its future.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
As with philosophy, the study of religion underscores how humankind has long speculated about its origins.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Now 77, Peter Edwards recently revisited the coin and researched its origins.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Badinter’s campaign against capital punishment had its origins in his own brutal family history.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
While politicians have long campaigned at the schoolhouse, others casually stop by with staff to understand the origins of their party.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 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
Board president Ananyaa Ravi said the festival had grown well beyond its origins as an annual event.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Senior curator Dag Spicer said understanding the origins of technology is key to making sense of its future.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
As with philosophy, the study of religion underscores how humankind has long speculated about its origins.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Now 77, Peter Edwards recently revisited the coin and researched its origins.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Badinter’s campaign against capital punishment had its origins in his own brutal family history.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
While politicians have long campaigned at the schoolhouse, others casually stop by with staff to understand the origins of their party.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 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
Board president Ananyaa Ravi said the festival had grown well beyond its origins as an annual event.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
-
Fatalities data, the group says, is based on a range of sources, including sources among medical workers, publicly available images and official statements.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The attack consisted of Iranian missiles and drones, sources told CBS News.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Standing knee-deep in the lo‘i, covered in mud, gently pressing roots into the earth, anchored me in a new way.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
More broadly, the discovery highlights hidden biodiversity in groundwater systems and suggests older evolutionary lineages preserved underground.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.—
Rachel Swan,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sporks have come a long way from their humble beginnings in Rhode Island, and as the traveler’s preferred eating utensil, they’re destined to go ever further.—
James Stout,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Rose has to shed her former self, find her strength and realize there will be new beginnings.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eastern and western ancestries in Karelian Mesolithic dogs suggest that two lineages diverged during the Paleolithic.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That drops to 49% for Hispanic/Latino patients, 29% for Black patients and even lower for mixed ancestries, the NMDP reports.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The indictment also accused the men of purchasing the counterfeit prescription drugs without proper paperwork, known as T3s/pedigrees, and reselling them to pharmacy customers.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
All three are Nordic countries with populations above 5 million and strong winter sport pedigrees — Norway most of all.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The seal texts often introduced the owners with their names, genealogies, gender, professions and hometowns.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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