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
As Egypt moved from monarchy to revolution and the dream of Arab unity captured the attention of millions, her voice became a source of comfort, pride, and collective identity throughout the region. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2026 Tracking plasma precisely Fusion is widely viewed as a potential source of carbon-free electricity, but maintaining stable plasma remains one of the biggest engineering challenges. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Verb
Many of these products source the macronutrient from whey, a byproduct of the cheesemaking process. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026 Nestlé aims to source 50% of its key ingredients from farmers using regenerative practices by 2030. Jasmin Sykes, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for source
Recent Examples of Synonyms for source
Noun
  • The census ancestry and origin data are estimates based on a sample of the population and include margins of error that can be large for small population groups.
    Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Understanding the origin of life requires addressing a collection of overlapping scientific questions.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Its headwaters are in Indian River County, its mouth in the Atlantic near Jacksonville, which is the furthest place Sanders Fish House delivers its wild catch.
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • Lake Assinica in the Broadback headwaters has attracted world-wide attention for its giant squaretails the past two years.
    Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Her astute observations — and solid Disney fairy tale references — don't stop there.
    Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Traders can use the 50-day moving average at $166 as their reference on the downside.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The refurbishment of Freedom Plaza was part of the administration’s beautification projects, which included repairing fountains in the district and renovating the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
  • Bowser, who declined to be interviewed for this article, urged the administration to clean up federal parks and fix broken fountains, while pushing back on measures like having police ask for people’s immigration status.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The roots of the fall-out stretch back to 2019, before filming for the franchise’s fourth feature instalment began, when Margera signed a wellness agreement with the producers which committed him to sobriety amid his struggles with alcoholism.
    Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
  • Simply apply 1 to 2 inches of natural mulch, like bark mulch, over the roots of your plants to lock in soil moisture and keep the mulch line at least 1 inch away from the plant's stems.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The club retired the cradle of Louis XIV from its badge—a symbol of Saint-Germain as a suburban town 20 kilometers outside Paris, where the kings once lived.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • However, the country’s history draws parallels with Atlanta’s own identity as a cradle of civil rights activism.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Prior to the trial beginning, the judge agreed that questions about Brown’s felony conviction for his 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna would be barred from testimony.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • June was a frenetic month for the metro Atlanta restaurant scene, driven in part by a flurry of downtown openings timed to the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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