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Synonym Chooser

How is the word begin different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of begin are commence, inaugurate, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How is commence related to other words for begin?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace begin?

The words inaugurate and begin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When would initiate be a good substitute for begin?

While the synonyms initiate and begin are close in meaning, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to begin?

The synonyms start and begin are sometimes interchangeable, but start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of begin?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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 begin Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot began shifting the obligation back onto CPS starting in 2020, a move Johnson opposed but began fighting to preserve last year as the city faced heavy budget deficits. Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Emma Green reports » The state of airline safety: The President has begun firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration employees, even as airplane accidents are occurring at an alarming frequency. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 Related article Respiratory illness season begins to ramp up now. Katia Hetter, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025 Negotiations for a new contract had begun in July, followed by mediation sessions in September, but no agreement was reached. Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
  • Loading your audio article LOS ALTOS HILLS — As the final seconds ticked off the clock in No. 2 Pinewood’s Central Coast Section Open Division semifinal win over No. 3 Priory, the chants commenced.
    Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The company posted an extensive FAQ on its website with details about the going-out-of-business sales, which are set to commence immediately.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • How To Watch Thursday's championship game at TD Garden in Boston will start at 8 p.m. ET.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Ditch your eyesore of a carpet and make your whole space feel new with one of Wayfair’s deals on Joanna Gaines x Loloi rugs, with prices starting at just $22.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The initiative also pays homage to Hunt Hill Farm’s heritage, especially its role as the home of the local Plow-to-Plate program established in the 1980s by Ruth Henderson, founder of the New York Pops orchestra with her husband Skitch, decades ago.
    Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
  • One of the city’s key goals outlined in its 2022 plan to reduce homelessness was to establish a permanent low-barrier shelter.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Blue Devils raced out to a 15-2 lead in opening six minutes and then burst out of the break with a 24-6 run after the ‘Canes closed the first half with a 7-1 spurt in the final minute to cut the deficit to 47-32.
    Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
  • In 2024, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced a record-breaking number of small businesses, with 1 in 3 of the now 183,000 small businesses having opened their doors in the last two years.
    Ivo Ivanov, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The original version of the hummingbird cake is believed to have originated in Jamaica in the 1960s.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Amarone Casks Amarone is an Italian dry red wine, and this single malt was finished in casks originating in Verona.
    David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In contrast, Musk's DOGE, established under President Donald Trump's administration, has initiated mass layoffs targeting approximately 200,000 federal employees so far in the month since Trump began his second presidency, and that number is likely to grow.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The taste and odor of Raleigh's tap water might change over the next few weeks as the city initiates its yearly water disinfection process.
    Zachery Eanes, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Initially, speculation arose that Bybit would need to buy back ETH on a 1:1 basis to compensate affected users, potentially driving a significant price rally.
    Alice Liu, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Set in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough, Neighbours follows the lives of the residents of Ramsay Street, exploring the dramas, relationships and conflicts that arise among neighbors.
    Gabriela Silva, TVLine, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Lamm, 43, had previously founded or cofounded five companies, each of which was ultimately acquired.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Nikola was founded in 2015 and went public in 2020, one year before selling its first electric vehicle.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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