BEGIN Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

begin

verb

bi-ˈgin

Definition of begin

as in to commence

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) she began walking to work for exercise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to start

to come into existence the storm began late in the day and lasted all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to establish

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

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 Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Work has already begun on various projects, which are being staggered to avoid closing the museum completely. — News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026 As Ludwig’s body begins to change in unsettling ways, the cure becomes a journey through fear, loss and transformation. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 What began as a outdoor meeting of the local conservation commission at Curtis Woodlands was soon overtaken by public concerns about another parcel of land. — Tran Chau, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for begin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin

Verb

After a study to map its sprawling network of rooms commenced in 2022, a nuclear bunker in northern Italy will transform into a Cold War museum scheduled to open in part next year.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
That final ship didn’t sink, and in New York, the girls transferred to a train that returned them to their Chicagoland suburb just as the drum major raised his mace to commence a homecoming parade held in their honor.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of commence

Verb

Add in Oracle and sovereign-scale projects like Stargate, and the buildout starts to resemble a national infrastructure program more than a corporate capex cycle.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
On Sunday, authorities said one man was arrested on Kefalonia on suspicion of having started a fire that spread quickly in the southeastern part of the island, triggering the evacuation of nearby villages.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Verb

City Directors Kathy Webb and Capi Peck requested the proposal to establish the six-month moratorium earlier this summer.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
In 2009, Boko Haram, based in the northeast of the country, began a campaign of guerrilla attacks and suicide bombings, in an effort to establish a caliphate in the region.

— Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

The world has changed in terms of how receptive companies are to ideas that didn’t originate in the boardroom or from management.

— Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
The biggest share of overdose deaths involves fentanyl, which originates mostly in China and Mexico.

— Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of originate

Verb

Massachusetts voters rejected income tax eliminations in 2002 and 2008 that were initiated by citizens, not lawmakers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
The Biden administration viewed cryptocurrency as an avenue for fraud and destabilizing traditional finance, and initiated enforcement actions against exchanges and coins.

— Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of initiate

Verb

The project begins with an assessment of the city’s present conditions with an emphasis on development readiness, economic opportunity and barriers that could arise.

— Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
The data allowed Kie to intervene early before problems arose and ultimately control fruit quality and quantity to match market demand.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of arise

Browse Nearby Words

begging off

begin

beginner

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Style

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of begin

verb

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What is the difference between 'began'...

Cite this Entry

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