INAUGURATE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inaugurate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin , commence , initiate , start , and usher in . While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. // the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Q: How does the word 'begin' relate to other synonyms for 'inaugurate'?

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 'inaugurate'?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start . // commence firing // commenced a conversation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'initiate' instead of 'inaugurate'?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'inaugurate'?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start , opposed to stop , applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. // the work started slowly

Q: How do 'usher in' and 'inaugurate' relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate . // ushered in a period of economic decline

inaugurate

verb

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt

Definition of inaugurate

as in to establish

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to induct

to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies the president inaugurated the newest member of the club with a welcoming speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inaugurate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin, commence, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for inaugurate?

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 inaugurate?

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

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When is it sensible to use initiate instead of inaugurate?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 inaugurate?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another?

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 inaugurate Organizers hoped the shows would draw 250,000 attendees and inaugurate the city as a home for jazz events on par with New Orleans and Montreal. — Shi Bradley, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Min Aung Hlaing was inaugurated president in April following a general election judged by United Nations experts and rights groups to be neither free nor fair. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Liberal critics, however, argued—also rightly—that the Soviet Union was a decaying, economically crippled giant by the time Reagan was inaugurated. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, the country was scheduled to inaugurate a new president five days later. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inaugurate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugurate

Verb

Over the following decades, thousands more made the journey, with the American Colonization Society helping to establish settlements along the West African coast.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Locating water that can be used by humans is vital to establishing any long-term lunar presence.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

That bestseller is now up to 698 weeks somewhere on the tally and, in less than a month, the blockbuster will almost certainly become the latest title to be inducted into the 700-week club.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
In June, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of induct

Verb

Early in this year’s war, the United States and Israel considered launching ground operations to extract nuclear material but never initiated them, judging them to be highly risky and unlikely to affect the regime’s decision-making.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Oppenheimer initiates Factorial as outperform Oppenheimer says the battery manufacturer has plenty more room to run.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of initiate

Verb

Users must explicitly install the plugin and grant ChatGPT several macOS permissions, including AppleScript, Accessibility, and Full Disk Access.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Ward said the proposal could also reduce regulatory barriers for homeowners with existing rooftop solar while expanding access to solar power for people who cannot install panels on their own homes.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of install

Verb

Authorities have introduced new rules in recent years, including a cap on the maximum number of climbers per day and requiring them to take a brief class about hiking safety.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
In the time since the Freestyle was introduced, the number of specialty beverage chains has exploded, offering customers nearly unlimited ways to customize their drinks, from sugar content to toppings.

— Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of introduce

Verb

Kusama’s art influenced the histories of minimalism, pop art, and performance art; more recently her large-scale installations single-handedly pioneered what is now referred to as experiential art.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Still, a year after the Chambers home made its pioneering trek to Altadena, Omgivning has moved three other houses and lined up nine more, and the Martinez family has set Pinky down on her foundation.

— Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of pioneer

Verb

In addition, a law creating new asylum eligibility requirements, including new time limits for applying, went into effect earlier this year.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
In Freeport, Allen has built the Bahamas Maritime Museum, where relics are cataloged, conserved, and displayed, creating local jobs and drawing tourists.

— Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of create

Browse Nearby Words

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“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugurate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inaugurate

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Synonyms of inaugurate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to inaugurate

The Origin of 'Inaugurate'

Cite this Entry

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