origins

NOUN

cause, basis

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ancestor ancestry connection element influence motive provenance root source

STRONG

agent antecedent author base causality causation creator derivation determinant egg embryo fountain generator germ impulse inception inducement inspiration mainspring nucleus occasion parent parentage principle producer progenitor provenience roots seed spring stock well wellspring

WEAK

horse's mouth

Antonyms

STRONG

conclusion effect end ending result

WEAK

close completion consequence death destiny finale goal outcome outgrowth termination

NOUN

beginning, inception

Synonyms

STRONGEST

birth genesis

STRONG

alpha commencement creation dawn dawning embarkation emergence entrance entry forging foundation inauguration ingress initiation introduction launch nativity opener origination outbreak outset rise start

WEAK

blast off day one early stage git go square one starting point

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conclusion end finish

STRONG

close completion death ending exit stop

WEAK

consequence destiny effect finale goal outcome outgrowth result termination

NOUN

family, heritage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ancestry birth descent lineage

STRONG

beginnings blood extraction maternity parentage paternity pedigree stock

Antonyms

WEAK

close completion conclusion consequence death destiny effect end finale goal outcome outgrowth result termination

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The origins of American liberty lay deep in the Puritan soil of New England as the cultural memory of Plymouth and the English Civil War energized the 18th century’s revolutionary spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

He shed some light on origins of their romance, revealing that they were “introduced by friends” and immediately formed a strong connection.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Ashgabat draws the origins of the cult to Turkmenistan's pre-statehood era, when nomadic tribes lived on the desert lands before Russia conquered them in the 19th century.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The telescope is designed to study objects throughout the solar system, investigate planets orbiting distant stars, and explore the origins and evolution of the universe.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

You do not, I would add, need to be an historical materialist to see that historians need to think about change, development, origins.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton