originator

noun

ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce originator (audio)
Definition of originatornext
1
as in inventor
one who creates or introduces something new Thomas Edison was the originator of the light bulb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor Copernicus is sometimes hailed as the originator of modern astronomy, for he overturned the notion of an earth-centered universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 originator Franchise originator Oren Peli is set to produce for Solana Films, with James Wan and Jason Blum producing for Blumhouse Atomic Monster. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 June 2026 There can be little doubt that the Authentic is the most famous shoe of its style today, but that isn’t the same as being the originator. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 26 June 2026 But the trick outlived its originator. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Dan Osman, the originator of rope jumping, died in 1998 during a jump in Yosemite National Park in California. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for originator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for originator
  1. inventor
  2. founder
  3. designer
  4. creator
  5. father
  6. author
Noun
  • Several concessionaires at the fair have been touted as the inventors of the ice-cream cone.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Britain’s largest church was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott—the inventor of the emblematic red telephone booth—in the early 20th century.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventor
Noun
  • With the logistics of its American business now anchored down, the founders are considering how the brand exists beyond the screen.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • According to Hon Weng Chong, Cortical Labs founder and CEO, some potential applications include drug discovery, humanoid robotics, cybersecurity and fraud detection.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • Rudnick, the designer, doesn’t see it as such an innocent parallel.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The lightweight designer dress came in a vibrant red hue featuring a halter neckline and vertical pleating.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of designer
Noun
  • Chef and content creator Pierce Abernathy is known for sharing recipes with his social media followers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Marketers running always-on creator programs should mark August 24 as a break in the series and shift year-over-year comparisons to engaged views, which YouTube says preserves the old definition.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • Vernon, meanwhile, is encouraging people to remember that there was a man, a husband and father behind the headlines.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His six children inherited the franchise through a family trust, with Jeanie continuing to oversee the team’s business operations and succeeding her father as the Lakers’ representative on the NBA Board of Governors.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of father
Noun
  • Assessing the entries this year were a total of six panels, comprised of independent experts from across the industry, including top writers, authors and broadcasters from England and Scotland.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Follow-up research is needed to really prove bedbugs actually are spreading MRSA to people, said one of the study's authors, Jose Pietri, who is now at Purdue University.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of author

Browse Nearby Words

originative
originator
originators
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originator. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on originator

Nglish: Translation of originator for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All