ORIGINATE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'originate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of originate are arise , derive , emanate , flow , issue , proceed , rise , spring , and stem . While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," originate implies a definite source or starting point. // the fire originated in the basement

Q: How do 'arise' and 'rise' relate to one another, in the sense of 'originate'?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent. // new questions have arisen // slowly rose to prominence

Q: When can 'derive' be used instead of 'originate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to originate , derive implies a prior existence in another form. // the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

Q: When is 'emanate' a more appropriate choice than 'originate'?

In some situations, the words emanate and originate are roughly equivalent. However, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source. // reports emanating from the capital

Q: How are the words 'flow' and 'spring' related as synonyms of 'originate'?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception. // words flowed easily from her pen

Q: When might 'issue' be a better fit than 'originate'?

The meanings of issue and originate largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet. // blood issued from the cut

Q: When is it sensible to use 'proceed' instead of 'originate'?

The words proceed and originate can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause. // advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

Q: When would 'spring' be a good substitute for 'originate'?

While the synonyms spring and originate are close in meaning, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging. // an idea that springs to mind

Q: When could 'stem' be used to replace 'originate'?

Although the words stem and originate have much in common, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development. // industries stemming from space research

originate

verb

ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt

Definition of originate next

as in to begin

to come into existence the theory of relativity originated with Albert Einstein

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How does the verb originate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of originate are arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

How do arise and rise relate to one another, in the sense of originate?

Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen

slowly rose to prominence

When can derive be used instead of originate?

While in some cases nearly identical to originate, derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

When is emanate a more appropriate choice than originate?

In some situations, the words emanate and originate are roughly equivalent. However, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

How are the words flow and spring related as synonyms of originate?

Flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

When might issue be a better fit than originate?

The meanings of issue and originate largely overlap; however, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

When is it sensible to use proceed instead of originate?

The words proceed and originate can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

When would spring be a good substitute for originate?

While the synonyms spring and originate are close in meaning, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

When could stem be used to replace originate?

Although the words stem and originate have much in common, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

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 originate Where did tres leches cake originate? —

Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026 The case also echoes the bank’s involvement with Danske Bank’s Estonian branch, which processed $227 billion in suspicious transactions largely originating from Russia and the former Soviet states between 2007 and 2015. —

Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026 Rollins said there was a two-hour meeting at the White House Thursday with six Cabinet members and senior staff on how to contain the spread of the flesh-eating parasite, which is believed to have originated in Mexico and has Texas livestock producers across the border increasingly concerned. —

Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026 The groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, because the town where the Groundhog Day tradition originated is called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. —

Seth Jacobson, The Providence Journal, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for originate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for originate

Verb

What began as a performance became a collective release.

— Michelle Edgar, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.

— Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026

Definition of begin

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originals

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“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 4 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of originate

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