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
That same day the Associated Press reported that two Argentine officials who were investigating the origins of the outbreak and spoke on the condition of anonymity said the government’s leading hypothesis was that the couple contracted the virus while bird-watching in Ushuaia before the cruise.
—
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Muslim Americans too have claimed the couple as ancestors, forging a lineage in America that stretches back before the formation of the United States, an alluring story of American origins, belonging, and place within a national story that has largely rejected them.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
But with scarce genetic material available to study, the species remains a major mystery in human origins.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
For beer enthusiasts, this is a rare chance to experience local brews and trace your favorite beers back to their origins.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
Musk, a co-founder and early donor, alleges that OpenAI has betrayed its nonprofit origins, while OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, say that a nonprofit foundation still controls the organization and that Musk agreed with them about creating a for-profit arm.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Maria, austere and deeply pious, runs the business with an iron hand, obsessed with making the family’s origins forgotten.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026
However, the origins of these particles, and the sources that accelerated them to such high energies, are shrouded in mystery.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The Bankers’ Bar is lined with vault drawers, calling back to the building’s origins as the headquarters of a 1950s bank.
—Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Muslim Americans too have claimed the couple as ancestors, forging a lineage in America that stretches back before the formation of the United States, an alluring story of American origins, belonging, and place within a national story that has largely rejected them.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
But with scarce genetic material available to study, the species remains a major mystery in human origins.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
For beer enthusiasts, this is a rare chance to experience local brews and trace your favorite beers back to their origins.
—Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
Musk, a co-founder and early donor, alleges that OpenAI has betrayed its nonprofit origins, while OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, say that a nonprofit foundation still controls the organization and that Musk agreed with them about creating a for-profit arm.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Maria, austere and deeply pious, runs the business with an iron hand, obsessed with making the family’s origins forgotten.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026
However, the origins of these particles, and the sources that accelerated them to such high energies, are shrouded in mystery.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The Bankers’ Bar is lined with vault drawers, calling back to the building’s origins as the headquarters of a 1950s bank.
—Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
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Multiple sources later confirmed their split to PEOPLE in January 2025, though they were spotted together on several occasions in the months to follow.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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On carbon, nuclear is among the lowest-emission energy sources, emitting roughly 12 grams of CO₂-equivalent per kilowatt-hour and rivaling wind.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
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What is striking about this moment is that America is not merely acknowledging the Jewish roots of some of its values historically, but openly turning again to a distinctly Jewish practice as a possible source of wisdom for the present.—
Ari Berman,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Rayner is a favorite of members who think the party has strayed too far from its working-class roots and those who want the party to do more to boost the minimum wage and raise taxes on the rich.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Genetic evidence suggests those dogs’ lineages might go back even further—at least to the end of the Late Pleistocene period, approximately 12,000 years ago.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
11 May 2026
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Last week, the fellows presented their culturally sustainable materials that center Black community histories and lineages for young learners ages 3-7.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.—
Rachel Swan,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In many ways, though, this represents not simply an evolution in American pluralism, but a return to one of the deepest currents in America’s own beginnings.—
Ari Berman,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
And your life is about new beginnings, really.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Eastern and western ancestries in Karelian Mesolithic dogs suggest that two lineages diverged during the Paleolithic.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
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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
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Miller, Smith and Guilbeau are a trio of undrafted rookies with interesting college pedigrees.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
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This year’s list of the hot new restaurants covers the latest and greatest, including tiny but mighty dining rooms that punch well above their weight, and hotel fine diners with prestigious pedigrees.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The seal texts often introduced the owners with their names, genealogies, gender, professions and hometowns.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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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 23 May. 2026.
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