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

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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 Swig, the originator of the dirty soda craze, has signed a 13-unit development deal with a local franchisee to open the drive-thru-centric soda shops in locations that will include Naperville, Crest Hill, Romeoville and Bolingbrook. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 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 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
  • Nearby is Ballynatray House, acquired by billionaire inventor James Dyson in 2024, along with Lismore Castle, the longtime Irish seat of the Dukes of Devonshire.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Several concessionaires at the fair have been touted as the inventors of the ice-cream cone.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventor
Noun
  • Our first person in the spotlight this week is Jeff Bezos, founder of the American private spaceflight company Blue Origin.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Brian Hoerl, Phoenix’s co-founder and chief growth officer, said the engineers faced a problem without a clear playbook.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of founder
Noun
  • Beyond the numbers, Tan will no doubt field questions about the technology partnership that Google, its biggest custom chip customer, recently announced with Marvell Technology , a rival custom chip designer.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Owner Gayle Hill hosts several designer trunk shows a year for her loyal customers, who rely on the Maverick buyer's eye for heirloom-quality pieces.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of designer
Noun
  • Throughout the first season of Furious, creator Elizabeth Meriwether and company deftly explored the idea of female vengeance, all while making Catherine into a kind of antihero for the ages.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Visual art pieces will come from Sacramento-area creators like Taner Pasamehmetoglu, Jason Silva, Ginger Thompson, Raul Mejia and second-generation neon sign artist Melissa Uroff.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of creator
Noun
  • The Dune star has five older half siblings from her father’s previous relationship.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
  • His father, William Hawley, said legal action was the only way to get answers.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of father
Noun
  • The authors noted that skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and contact dermatitis can appear in the perianal region, where bidet use may help.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The authors describe that interpretation as hypothesis-generating and in need of further study.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of author

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originative
originator
originators
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Cite this Entry

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

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