origins

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cause, basis n.
beginning, inception n.
family, heritage n.

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.

See Examples For:

origins

Scientists created a little ‘Big Bang’ to study the origins of the universe.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Did she fear that her foreign origins would permanently undermine her government?

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

The name Ontario itself predates both the United States and Canada and has Indigenous origins.

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

The fossils offer new clues to the origins and early evolution of the insect body plan while also revealing how the rise of insects contributed to the emergence of increasingly complex ecosystems on land.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

Pristine state origins took place at least once, possibly many times, on each of the continents except Australia and North America.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond