ORIGINAL Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'original' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of original are fresh , new , and novel . While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist. // a man without one original idea

Q: Where would 'fresh' be a reasonable alternative to 'original'?

In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness. // a fresh start

Q: When can 'new' be used instead of 'original'?

The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before. // new brick // new designs // starts the new job

Q: When would 'novel' be a good substitute for 'original'?

The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented. // a novel approach to the problem

original 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl

Definition of original

as in initial

coming before all others in time or order the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in innovative

having the skill and imagination to create new things an original artist who wanted his paintings to convey his emotional responses to the people, objects, and landscapes he painted

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in novel

not known or experienced before separate categories for original and adapted screenplays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

original

2 of 2

noun

as in prototype

something from which copies are made please make copies to hand out, but keep the original

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in character

a person of odd or whimsical habits the town's singing mailman is an original, all right

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective original differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of original are fresh, new, and novel. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

Where would fresh be a reasonable alternative to original?

In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When can new be used instead of original?

The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick

new designs

starts the new job

When would novel be a good substitute for original?

The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

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 original

Adjective

Brand names at lower prices Grullon says thrift shoppers can find recognizable brands at a fraction of their original retail cost. — Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Documentation and programming knowledge can also become harder to obtain as original suppliers leave the market. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

This new clip reveals what the frontman was reaching for in a close-up frame of the original, showing it to be a cocktail made with the sans alcohol gin. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 In a season that rewards originals and adaptations alike, this is writing voters will likely remember in January and a cast the actors branch can get behind. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for original

Recent Examples of Synonyms for original

Adjective

The film is downright Tarkovskian for its initial hour, unspooling through eerie abstractions that heighten its lingering domestic turmoil.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Entertainment Weekly reached out to Grande’s reps for comment at the time of the initial lyric changes.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of initial

Adjective

This is why counting AI pilots tells us little about whether an organization is becoming more innovative.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Her work brings together fashion, technology and industrial application, with a particular focus on more responsible and innovative approaches to garment finishing.

— Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of innovative

Adjective

There was nothing particularly novel about the show’s premise, but the scripts were refreshingly dense with jokes, prioritizing laughs over contrived drama or seasonlong relationship arcs.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Expect to discover many novel flavors of Brazil—butiá, cajú, cumaru—worked into the menu in unique ways.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of novel

Noun

Engineers have assembled a prototype air-cooling rig to test the passive safety systems.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Commercial platforms, logical qubits, error-correction techniques, quantum sensing systems, networking prototypes, photonic architectures, and hybrid quantum-classical systems are moving from theory to more practical use.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prototype

Noun

Behold the plight of the Ryan Murphy character, cursed to behave nonsensically and flit wildly from plotline to plotline based on the writer’s whims.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
At the center, a Geometric CNC Fuller visually reduces the mass of the blade while reinforcing Razorbill's distinctive multi-faceted character.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of character

Adjective

Player of the Week Senior outside hitter Quinn Grevengoed tallies 92 kills and 15 aces in seven matches and then is named MVP for host Chicago Christian as Knights take tournament title for first time since 2014.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
After filling our brushes with mouthwash from docking station reservoirs, Sarah and I brushed our teeth side-by-side (a first for both of us professionally).

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of first

Adjective

Adding to the resort’s already extensive list of experiences—ranging from creative expression, fitness, and integrative wellbeing to outdoor adventure, yoga, and nourishment—are several new offerings.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of creative

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“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of original

adjective

noun

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