usher

verb

Definition of ushernext
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

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

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

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 usher Parents of children who were at the many summer camps in Hill Country have credited the teenage counselors with ushering campers to safety and helping keep them calm during the chaos. —Nadia Lathan, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Picture this: a small audience is quietly ushered into a darkened room. —Martin Bush, Space.com, 5 July 2025 That film also saw the president's plane hijacked by dirty rotten commies (Gary Oldman this time instead of Nancy Stephens) and, just like with Pleasence, the President of the United States is ushered into an escape pod. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 July 2025 They were ushered inside so that they didn’t get exposed to the troops that were walking in formation across their playground area. —Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for usher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usher
  1. steer
  2. guide
  3. lead
  4. accompany
Verb
  • Others avoid red wines to steer clear of hangover-inducing tannins.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
  • Musk has worried in the past about the influence of activist investors or proxy advisory firms steering Tesla down the wrong long-term path at the expense of short-term pressures.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 July 2025
Definition of steer
Verb
  • Let the repeats guide readers’ attention, especially in moments when emotions are building.
    — Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • System prompts The system prompt – instructions provided before every conversation – guides behaviour once the model is deployed.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Definition of guide
Verb
  • Networking Without the Pressure Rather than leading new introductions with pitches and business cards, relationship-first networking creates room for real conversations.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Below are the leading nominees by platform for the 2025 Emmys, and the number of programs that received nods.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • Instead, leading Senate Republicans released a discussion draft, accompanied by a request for industry feedback, earlier this week.
    — Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • Youths under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 6 p.m., with some exceptions.
    — Belinda M. Paschal, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Definition of accompany

Browse Nearby Words

use up
usher
ushered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of usher for Spanish Speakers

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