1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 began
Workers at more than a dozen Chicago area Starbucks were on strike Christmas Eve, union organizers said, as baristas escalated a national walkout that began in three cities, including Chicago, on Friday.
—
Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
This story has been updated to note that Mega Millions began in 2002, not 2022.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
Surprisingly little time has been spent on this issue since the war began.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
The union had previously warned that the strike, which began with walkouts in Chicago, Los Angeles and the coffee giant’s hometown of Seattle last week, could spread to hundreds of stores if the company did not meet the baristas’ demands at the bargaining table.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
As workers began preparing the site for a speedy demolition, people began gathering across the street of what was left of the church.
—Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
It's only been won three times, which is the fewest won in any single year since the game began.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
For those who can afford it, purchasing a pro sports team is an enticing investment, as NBA franchises alone have appreciated roughly 2,200% on average since Forbes began tracking such data in 1998, and those values are expected to continue to grow.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Following the demise of the dinosaurs, Earth’s temperature spiked and put the ocean in a state of turmoil, and the early anglerfish began to explore more of the deep sea.
—Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
This story has been updated to note that Mega Millions began in 2002, not 2022.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
Surprisingly little time has been spent on this issue since the war began.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
The union had previously warned that the strike, which began with walkouts in Chicago, Los Angeles and the coffee giant’s hometown of Seattle last week, could spread to hundreds of stores if the company did not meet the baristas’ demands at the bargaining table.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
As workers began preparing the site for a speedy demolition, people began gathering across the street of what was left of the church.
—Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
It's only been won three times, which is the fewest won in any single year since the game began.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
For those who can afford it, purchasing a pro sports team is an enticing investment, as NBA franchises alone have appreciated roughly 2,200% on average since Forbes began tracking such data in 1998, and those values are expected to continue to grow.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Following the demise of the dinosaurs, Earth’s temperature spiked and put the ocean in a state of turmoil, and the early anglerfish began to explore more of the deep sea.
—Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
-
The company has not commenced any operations and does not expect to generate operating revenues until after completing a business combination.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2024
-
An epic hoedown commenced, complete with line dancing where Blue Ivy joined in for the finale.Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Crosby started the season slowly for his gaudy standards but is now on pace for 89 points.Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
-
In September some jurisdictions started signing a multilateral instrument for implementing the subject-to-tax rule.Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Historic New Orleans Collection This is a museum, research center, and publisher that was founded in the 1960s and tells the story of New Orleans and the Gulf South through exhibitions, original texts, and its public research center.Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Amazon, for example, was founded in 1994.Audrey Nguyen, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The film, which boasted a budget of $250 million, only opened to $32 million in the United States with mediocre reviews (the film currently has a 30% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes).Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
-
The fourth day of the trial in the First Judicial District Court opened with defense attorney Nikas accusing the state of withholding evidence that prop distributor Seth Kenney was the source of the live ammunition.Janelle Ash, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Beyond potentially pointing humans toward discovering new natural remedies, the incident also suggests the ability to self-medicate originated long ago in the primate lineage.Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
-
The flight had originated before dawn Sunday at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, according to Flightradar24, a flight tracker.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Barkley established himself from the jump in Brazil, and his three TDs were the deciding factor in a win over the Packers that went to the brink.Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Buffett established the nonprofit charity in 1995.Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Ukraine launched a drone attack in Oryol, north of Kursk, and hit an oil depot that Kyiv has said supplies the Russian military last week.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
-
While brands like Pedialyte previously dominated the market, several brands have launched with a new approach that’s not just about general hydration.Emily Burns, WWD, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
With stakes exceeding 10 percent in many banks, questions arose about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence over critical financial institutions.Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
-
Indeed, the Moral Majority and other evangelical movements arose in opposition to Carter’s Presidency and became firmly aligned with the right.Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to began
Thesaurus Entries Near began
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share