1
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
no one knows who initiated written language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to introduce
to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to
initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to inaugurate
to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies
initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of initiate
Its simplicity means rescue teams can initiate scans within seconds, drastically improving response times compared to traditional methods involving boats and extensive crews.
—
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The following day, police located the 30-year-old suspect’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but a chase ensued, prompting the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, including air support.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
Simultaneously, the Netherlands initiated a policy of close involvement in the administration of the islands.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 July 2025
Unless Congress initiates significant changes, there is no way that Social Security benefits can be maintained at existing levels.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for initiate
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The following day, police located the 30-year-old suspect’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but a chase ensued, prompting the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, including air support.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
Simultaneously, the Netherlands initiated a policy of close involvement in the administration of the islands.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 July 2025
Unless Congress initiates significant changes, there is no way that Social Security benefits can be maintained at existing levels.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for initiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate
Verb
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The plan is the department's effort to establish a clear vision while seeking community input to create a roadmap for the department over the next five years.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
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While people had always moved between the U.S.-Mexico border, migration increased exponentially after the U.S. government, facing a labor shortage in World War II, established the Bracero program, which brought millions of Mexican contract workers to the U.S.—
Jimmy Patino,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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While the duo filmed their scenes for the movie over the course of a month, there were a few days when one of the pair wasn’t working — and the generous parents didn’t miss out on the chance to bring baby Crew along to the set and even to introduce him to Sandler himself.—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
25 July 2025
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And Lee and Kirby continued to crank out their stories, introducing characters as varied and memorable as the Black Panther, Dr. Doom, Nick Fury, and Thor.—
Oliver Staley,
Time,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Colton was among the roughly 1,500 people convicted in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and pardoned by Trump on the same day he was inaugurated for his second term in office.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
17 July 2025
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Conversely, under Trump, the average weekly paycheck buys 1% more today than when he was inaugurated in January.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The coalition of 24 states and DC launched the suit against President Donald Trump, Linda McMahon in her capacity as secretary of education, the Education Department, Russ Vought as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the OMB.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Williams’ daughter launched a GoFundMe to help her 55-year-old mother raise money to pay for her medical bills.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Just last year, McCoy was inducted into the Eagles' Hall of Fame.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Meanwhile, Sharapova is scheduled to be inducted in to the International Tennis Hall of Fame on August, 23, alongside the Bryan Brothers.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Complete the Look Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Quilted Jumpsuit A set of coveralls like this linen-blend style can create a stylish no-fuss outfit.—
Rylee Johnston,
People.com,
27 July 2025
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Before Colorado created its wildlife crossing mitigation system, drivers along that stretch of I-25 crashed into an average of one wild animal per day trying to pass through the highway corridor.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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During the July 25-28 road closure, crews will also install a high-friction surface treatment, which increases pavement friction even when wet weather makes the road slick, Woodrum said.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 July 2025
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Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Scientists at Newcastle University in northern England have now pioneered a new IVF technique that combines a mother’s egg and father’s sperm with a second egg from a donor woman.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
19 July 2025
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Scientists pioneered the treatment, which incorporates mitochondrial DNA from a second woman’s donor egg, to prevent mothers with DNA mutations from passing them down to their children.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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