source 1 of 2

Definition of sourcenext
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

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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
The department is working to identify the source of the exposure and believes it was spread by local exposure to rodents. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 May 2026 Both versions of soaked chia seeds are good sources of fiber, but chia seeds in milk have more nutrients. Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 May 2026
Verb
The chef needs advance notice to source and plan accordingly. Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Although electricity rates are increasing in the state, many residents are turning to solar power to source their own energy for their cars and homes. Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for source
Recent Examples of Synonyms for source
Noun
  • This one comes with its original box and original certificate of origin.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
  • To portray Goliath’s origin story, actors were filmed on green screens and AI was used to generate a mythical sequence involving dark sky, rain, mountains and angels with wings.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • From its headwaters high in the Oakland Hills throught the city's Fruitvale District to where the waters eventually empty into the Oakland Estuary and San Francisco Bay, Sausal Creek is a historic treasure.
    Molly McCrea, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of scenic trails at Lake Bemidji State Park, fish in pristine waters, or wade through the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park (40 miles southwest).
    Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • It was so well presented with countless references to viral moments and gaffes.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • As polished-glam and old-Hollywood as the references were, there were moments that also felt sleazy and fun in the way that Hollywood in 2007 did, when getting photographed pouring out of a car on the way into the club was a rite of passage and full of its own twisted promise.
    Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • He was filmed jumping into the historic fountain while fully clothed as crowds nearby watched.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • Moments after a security guard broke up the beating and the teenagers scattered, the 13-year-old came upon David and his girlfriend at the fountain plaza next to the theaters where the fatal stabbing took place.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Many stayed, putting down roots that grew into multigenerational farming families who continue to shape the region’s dynamic food scene.
    Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • At different points, Montgomery has branded itself as the cradle of the Confederacy and the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 May 2026
  • Thousands of people rallied Saturday in the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement to mobilize a new voting rights era as conservative states dismantle congressional districts that helped secure Black political representation.
    Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • The language of covenant, liberty, moral responsibility, human dignity, and redemption helped shape the nation’s moral imagination from the very beginning.
    Ari Berman, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • And the most exciting part is that this is only the beginning.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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