as in start
the point at which something begins
the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introductory
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commencing
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founding
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
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 beginning
Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
All the subjects were told at the beginning of the trial that the pills they were given contained no active pharmacological ingredients, yet a notable placebo effect was still detected.
—New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025
Linh Ta, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
Her high school diploma is just the beginning thanks to Santiago Canyon College program
Originally Published: July 31, 2024 at 11:15 a.m.
—Contributing Writer, Orange County Register, 31 July 2024
Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
Quarterfinal Preview Big Ten rematch The CFP quarterfinals will return to traditional bowl sites, beginning on New Year’s Eve.
—Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
Historically, presidents tend to be seen more favorably by the public at the beginning of their term and approval ratings often decrease through presidential tenures.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
All the subjects were told at the beginning of the trial that the pills they were given contained no active pharmacological ingredients, yet a notable placebo effect was still detected.
—New Atlas, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Polk County supervisors also approved helping with the beginning phase of the project by funding soil sampling.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
Her high school diploma is just the beginning thanks to Santiago Canyon College program
Originally Published: July 31, 2024 at 11:15 a.m.
—Contributing Writer, Orange County Register, 31 July 2024
Verb
An analysis by the higher education consulting firm Ruffalo Noel Levitz, using the latest available census figures, now projects another drop in the number of 18-year-olds beginning in 2033, after a brief uptick.
—Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
Quarterfinal Preview Big Ten rematch The CFP quarterfinals will return to traditional bowl sites, beginning on New Year’s Eve.
—Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
In 35 appearances with the Giants from 1959-61, Fisher made seven starts, struggling with a 3-8 record and 6.25 ERA.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Jackson finished the season with 23 tackles and two pass breakups in nine games (three starts).—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This method can temporarily manage symptoms or serve as a preparatory step before a more comprehensive surgical procedure.11 2.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
-
But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Borrowers who can pay off their debt within a credit card’s introductory period often face an interest rate of 0%.—
Victor Rosario,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
-
New subscribers can take advantage of Sling’s standard offer of 50 percent off the first month and a $5 introductory rate for add-on subscriptions such as Paramount+ with Showtime (reg.—
Danielle Directo-Meston,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The New Year is starting with a fresh warning for those who work with animals in Texas.—
Li Cohen,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Abigail Stuart, founding partner of Day One Strategy, with 20+ years in brand and market research, drives innovation and champions AI.—
Abigail Stuart,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Inspired by real events, the film is described as an epic fable about the founding leader of the Shaker Movement.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Since its inception, NASA has selected 61 women to be astronauts, and the first all-female spacewalk, carried out by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir, occurred outside the International Space Station in October 2019.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
-
In particular, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party called repeatedly for renewing Israeli settlement in Gaza—for resurrecting an enterprise that Oded had rightly denounced from its inception as a disaster for Israel.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Crowley-Sanders is next scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 27 and is currently being held in custody on a $1 million bond, according to court records.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Judge Jackson will hold a hearing on February 26 at 10:00am to consider imposing a preliminary injunction.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Under the proposal, the district would change the start and end times for elementary, middle and high school, add 15 minutes to the elementary day, increase math instruction time at the middle school level and change to a block schedule with longer class periods for middle and high school students.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
-
What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.—
Linh Ta,
Axios,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share