INCEPTION Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inception' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of inception are origin , root , and source . While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes. // the business has been a success since its inception

Q: When could 'origin' be used to replace 'inception'?

The words origin and inception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being. // an investigation into the origin of baseball

Q: When is 'root' a more appropriate choice than 'inception'?

The synonyms root and inception are sometimes interchangeable, but root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned. // the real root of the violence

Q: When can 'source' be used instead of 'inception'?

While the synonyms source and inception are close in meaning, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being. // the source of the Nile // the source of recurrent trouble

inception

noun

in-ˈsep-shən

Definition of inception next

as in beginning

the point at which something begins this seemed like a good program at its inception, but it isn't working out as planned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word inception distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of inception are origin, root, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When could origin be used to replace inception?

The words origin and inception are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

When is root a more appropriate choice than inception?

The synonyms root and inception are sometimes interchangeable, but root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When can source be used instead of inception?

While the synonyms source and inception are close in meaning, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile

the source of recurrent trouble

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 inception In January, he was named Finland’s Athlete of the Year — the first hockey player to win the honor since its inception in 1947. —

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2025 That’s where Seth Rogen comes in, and the trailer inception begins: Duhpocalypse is the latest fake film being pushed by the fake movie studio at the center of The Studio, Rogen’s forthcoming Apple TV+ series premiering March 26. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025 The foundation has steadily grown since its inception with a $20 million investment and has raised over $150 million. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 In the four decades since its inception, MusiCares has raised more than $100 million to provide assistance to musicians and other music-industry workers facing financial, medical and personal hardships, including addiction recovery and disaster relief. —

George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for inception

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inception

Noun

Jason Lipshutz: Unlike the star-heavy start of 2024, the beginning of 2025 has not been jammed with big new album releases — just Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos, really — and Hurry Up Tomorrow took advantage of that relative silence.

— Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025
At the beginning of the Feb. 10 episode, host Jesse Palmer announced that there’d be one group date and two one-on-one dates.

— Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025