source 1 of 2

1
2
as in headwater
the beginning part of a stream 19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in reference
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

source

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word source distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of source are inception, origin, and root. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

When is inception a more appropriate choice than source?

While in some cases nearly identical to source, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of source?

The words origin and source are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

When can root be used instead of source?

While the synonyms root and source are close in meaning, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

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 source
Noun
European carmakers are trying to work out how much their prices might have to rise in response to looming U.S. import tariffs, industry sources said, fearing any first-movers could risk a backlash from U.S. President Donald Trump. Christina Amann and Victoria Waldersee, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025 Staff members at the U.S. Institute of Peace were informed they were terminated effective immediately on Friday, five sources familiar with the situation told CBS News. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
Pharmacists work to mitigate how many times this question must be asked, but they get caught in a cycle of sourcing scarce medications, negotiating with suppliers, and rationing doses to keep up with demand. William Jones, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025 That said, Tesla is expected to be among the car brands least affected by the tariffs, given that the cars are made in the U.S., and most of their parts are sourced domestically, too. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for source
Recent Examples of Synonyms for source
Noun
  • While Jubilee struck a more uplifting tone compared to past albums, For Melancholy Brunettes returns to some of the band’s moodier origins.
    Chris Malone Mendez, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • An odd digression into the origins of Mormonism recalls the specious race-and-crime history in Killers of the Flower Moon, which gave us DeNiro’s most repulsive characterization to date, a portrait as revealing as Dorian Gray’s.
    Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the base of the South Cumberland Plateau, near the headwaters of the Elk River, this is some lush territory.
    Colleen Creamer, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The city paid $750,000. 1 of 2 Since the flood, the water district was ordered by federal regulators to drain Anderson Reservoir, the largest in the county, which sits near the headwaters of Coyote Creek, and rebuild its 240-foot-high earthen dam.
    Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That was a reference to the Jan. 8, 2023, riot when Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Supreme Court, presidential palace and Congress in Brasilia a week after Lula took office.
    Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The bottles have also been interpreted as references to the domestic sphere, minus the homey quality typically associated with it.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • During the last eight hours, fountains shot up to 600 feet high, mainly through the south vent at the closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
  • During the last seven hours, lava fountains were up to 600 feet high, according to the USGS' Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Steelers' six Super Bowl titles, and the region's reputation as a cradle for Hall of Famers, have been built on franchise QBs.
    Ryan Deto, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Within a few paces is the entrance to Highbury Square, the apartment complex constructed on the footprint that was once the sacred cradle of Arsenal.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Brown, brittle leaves may make your lawn appear dead, but the crown—the grass plant’s growth point for leaves and roots—is alive and quickly sends up new leaves as soon as conditions are ideal.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
  • This market can trace its roots to 1921 and has been in its current 49-acre location since 1956.
    Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the beginning of 2025, the Decentralized Science (DeSci) movement experienced significant momentum, marked by several key developments such as the emergence of new projects, market growth and investment, technological advancements, and community and collaboration.
    Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The hiring will take place three weeks before the beginning of the 25/26 fiscal year on May 1.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Pressing the gear icon brings up a list of attributes to customize, including font size, font color, type style, background color, and window opacity.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Most models have at least a few fonts and font sizes to pick from.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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