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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 During a pivotal dinner scene in the latest episode of Season 3, things get less subtle: the topic of politics — specifically, Donald Trump! — comes up as the women begin talking about religion and the traditional role of women in Christianity. Matt Minton, Variety, 3 Mar. 2025 This initiative began as a small-scale experiment before evolving into a significant technological transformation. Peter High, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 European leaders began work on Sunday on their own framework for peace. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025 The Girl Scout Cookie season began on Jan. 7 and typically runs through April, which means Thin Mints and other classics are still available for purchase. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 20 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
  • Love, playing in just his 21st game this season with the Heat, started and scored 10 points with six rebounds.
    Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air will start at $999, a $100 price cut compared to the M3 Air and the same price that Apple set for the M2 Air last year when the M3 models came out.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Looking farther into the future, the low-rate mortgages originated in the early 2020s will last for decades, causing low mobility.
    Bill Conerly, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The tradition of receiving ashes originates from biblical times when wearing sackcloth and ashes symbolized repentance.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ocalan's momentous announcement is part of a new effort for peace between the group and the Turkish state, which was initiated in October by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's coalition partner, Devlet Bahceli.
    ROBERT BADENDIECK AND SUZAN FRASER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Companies across the country had pledged sweeping support for diversity efforts after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020 initiated a national social justice movement.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But the problem on the tour most likely wouldn’t have arisen in Illinois, whose legislators noticed a problem and addressed it.
    Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The reason why this distinction between common and statutory law matters, at least to Jackson, is because the concept of aiding and abetting arises out of the common law.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To qualify for consideration, each company was required to employ more than 50 people, to have been founded between 2015 and 2022, and to be an independent business (not a spinoff of a larger corporation).
    Haniya Rae, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • In the wake of their loss, Jesse and Andrea Lacey also founded Moms Skate Club, a charity dedicated to supporting mothers in the skateboarding community.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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