began

verb

past tense of begin
1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) she began walking to work for exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence the storm began late in the day and lasted all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction

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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 began The recovery ended a search that began on July 31 after the expedition, led by renowned climber Nirmal Purja, was swept away by an avalanche on Broad Peak. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 According to a new study published in Geology, the massive escarpment formed around 800 million to 750 million years ago as the ancient supercontinent Rodinia began to break apart. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 The first North Korean deployment began in the Kursk region in October 2024, to repel a Ukrainian incursion, the first on Russian soil since the Nazis. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 The train began blocking the crossing on Tuesday morning, forcing drivers to find alternate routes. — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Manning began her career at Fullscreen Media, working with digital creators to build multi-platform media businesses, develop original IP and structure cross-platform deals. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 Celebrations began early for Berry, who has been enjoying vacation at the ultra-exclusive and luxury Kokomo private island resort in Fiji with her fiancé Van Hunt. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 According to a statement, Farren International initially began searching for 100,000 square feet of space. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 First United Presbyterian formed a partnership with Brightpoint (formerly Children’s Home & Aid) in 2019, looping in the nonprofit’s case workers to help execute and expand this thing that began as a humble bid to put words into action. — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
  1. commenced
  2. started
  3. founded
  4. opened
  5. originated
  6. established
  7. launched
  8. arose
Verb
  • Police are still looking for her Hoffmann reached out to the Herald and commenced his pursuit for answers.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The project commenced with a simple analog instrument panel clock.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of commenced
Verb
  • The duration of Kyrgios’ ban will depend in part on whether he is found to have deliberately taken the drug, and in part on whether the incident happened before the tournament started.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Perez says Atlantic City was becoming a popular summer resort, and the idea for the first wooden walkway all started with keeping sand out of railroad cars and hotels.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of started
Verb
  • As for other homegrown brands, Moonglaze, founded by makeup artist Yara Alnamlah, launched at Sephora Middle East earlier this year, the first Saudi brand to launch at the retailer.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • What to do nearby With a history that pre-dates Florence—it was founded by the Etruscans -Fiesole is a pretty hilltop village that lies a 20-minute shuttle bus ride from the centre of Florence.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of founded
Verb
  • Upper West Market is an indoor farmers market that opened in August in Atlanta’s Underwood Hills neighborhood with a variety of vendors offering fresh produce, local meat, pantry goods and homeware.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ruti continues to expand with more brick-and-mortar stores and recently opened their first Manhattan store, since the in-person experience has always been a cornerstone of the brand.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of opened
Verb
  • Since December 2025, flights have originated in Alexandria, Louisiana, a hub for ICE deportation flights, with a stop in Miami on the way to Cap-Haitien International Airport.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit lists several members of the Religious Neutrality group and their religious affiliations, including two Jewish parents and a student, one Hindu parent and one Zoroastrian parent, which is a religion that originated in Iran.
    — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of originated
Verb
  • But Susser said the unease might also reflect that society hasn’t quite established clear norms around AI use.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Lakers won five championships during the ’80s and established themselves as the league’s glamour franchise.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of established
Verb
  • Phishing attempts have continued with people associated with Wiles in recent months after an incident in May 2025 when US law enforcement launched an investigation into efforts to impersonate her.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Because growing the rice itself is not profitable, even with historic high prices for Japanese rice, the company supports the agricultural costs through side ventures including a restaurant and an ice cream brand launched this summer.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of launched
Verb
  • Emails from later in March obtained by The Bee show that further complications with the project arose when city staffers discovered additional compliance requirements for the project.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Various theories surrounding the murders arose following the verdict, but they were never officially solved.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of arose

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beg
began
beget
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Cite this Entry

“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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