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.
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Recent Examples of beginning
New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Flu vaccination rates have declined since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, as antivaccination sentiment has gained a stronghold.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
But fans had been mourning the loss of the cheeky, friendly kid from the beginning days of the band for years.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Oct. 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
In fact, most viewers are likely to pick what's going on from the very beginning – but that doesn't hurt this show at all.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Flu vaccination rates have declined since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, as antivaccination sentiment has gained a stronghold.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Three ounces of seed will cover 400 square feet, a nice start to a beginning habitat garden.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
But fans had been mourning the loss of the cheeky, friendly kid from the beginning days of the band for years.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Oct. 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
-
Mittelstadt had a strong postseason for Colorado and got off to a good start this season, but his game has since taken a downturn.—
Peter Baugh,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
-
After nine starts, five sacks and 22 tackles last season, Bosa commanded more than $36 million of the Chargers’ salary cap in 2025, the largest cap hit for any edge rusher in the league, according to Overthecap.com.—
Thuc Nhi Nguyen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 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
-
Del Rey’s introductory full-length pushes five spots on the Official Albums chart, up to No. 55.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The pair re-teamed at the Academy Awards the following year for the broadcast’s introductory sketch, which featured Palance dragging a giant Oscar statue onstage, with Crystal (again the host) riding it.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
2 Mar. 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
-
Since its inception, the program has raised $358 million for causes.—
David Hessekiel,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but the state’s lawyers in November agreed not to enforce it until Walker rules on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction.—
Dara Kam,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
-
At the beginning of 2024, however, the implementation of SB 323 and SB 528 was held up when a judge in Bozeman, where the median home price now exceeds $800,000, issued a preliminary injunction.—
Patrick Gleason,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2025.
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