ORIGINALITY Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

originality

noun

ə-ˌri-jə-ˈna-lə-tē

Definition of originality

as in novelty

the quality or appeal of being new the originality of the war memorial sparked a heated controversy, as most people had been expecting something more traditional

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in creativity

the skill and imagination to create new things a poet of great originality, she brought a whole new range of subject matter and imagery to poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imagination

the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others a graphic novel that shows a lot of originality on the part of its creator

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 originality What the Zak Schulze Gang’s music thus far lacks in originality is made up for in sheer velocity. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 For architecture-minded buyers, the appeal may come down to originality and provenance — not just finishes. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026 This summary does an injustice to the originality and the sophistication of Tregenza’s way with narrative form. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 That same commitment to quality, originality, and staying true to your roots is what Twnty-Two stands for. — Malik Davis, VIBE.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for originality

Recent Examples of Synonyms for originality

Noun

For such novelty pieces, there would always be more than one version of an object for the emperor to choose from, Almeida explained.

— Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Since starting Synthesia back in 2017, one of my core principles has been utility over novelty.

— Victor Riparbelli, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of novelty

Noun

Additionally, neurodivergent team members often bring high levels of creativity, problem-solving skills, and resilience under pressure.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole did worry that curators might overemphasize the diagnosis, that King would no longer be an artist but an autistic artist, and therefore a symbol of something—resilience, perhaps, or liberation through creativity.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of creativity

Noun

Anna Watson’s lighting keeps much of the house just dim enough to make the imagination dangerous, while Tony winner Gareth Fry’s sound design surrounds the audience with ominous noises whose sources aren’t always immediately clear.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Still, the archetypal influencer in our cultural imagination is not a man reviewing watches on YouTube or hosting a podcast from his studio in Austin.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imagination

Noun

The Bees & Greens tours also include a visit to the on-site garden, where the hotel grows all its lettuce, kale, and other leafy greens to be used in the restaurant, ensuring sustainability and freshness.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
How To Store White Peaches Peaches will be best when they are enjoyed at their ultimate freshness.

— Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of freshness

Noun

Her work regularly calls for ingenuity, precision and close collaboration with Property Masters and production teams, whether creating paleo dog food for an actor or an apple pie with no apples.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
This unique spectacle, likely a one-time occurrence, is a testament to American ingenuity.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of ingenuity

Browse Nearby Words

original

originality

originally

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“Originality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/originality. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of originality

noun

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