Synonyms of begin

begin

verb

bi-ˈgin 

1

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

• commence
• start
• open
• launch
• found
• fall (to)
• create
• set about
• get going
• enter (into or upon)
• embark (on or upon)
• initiate
• strike (into)
• get off
• get to
• lead off
• organize
• generate
• originate
• establish
• adopt
• invent
• kick off
• inaugurate
• innovate
• take up
• institute
• pioneer
• take on
• embrace
• spawn
• get down (to)
• get around (to)
• set up
• father
• get round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conclude
• end
• stop
• finish
• cease
• terminate
• discontinue
• complete
• halt
• quit
• leave
• close
• abandon
• desist
• lay off
• destroy
• abolish
• extinguish
• knock off
• forsake
• exterminate
• demolish
• phase out

2

as in to start

to come into existence

the storm began late in the day and lasted all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• start
• commence
• originate
• arise
• appear
• be
• emerge
• arrive
• form
• set in
• exist
• materialize
• spring
• live
• break
• continue
• dawn
• actualize
• last
• engender
• breathe
• survive
• persist
• come on
• subsist
• endure
• coalesce
• shape (up)
• cohere

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stop
• cease
• end
• conclude
• finish
• terminate
• discontinue
• quit
• disappear
• halt
• die
• dissolve
• vanish
• depart
• desist
• expire
• evaporate
• perish
• pass away

3

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

• establish
• initiate
• found
• pioneer
• introduce
• launch
• create
• start
• institute
• inaugurate
• constitute
• construct
• plant
• originate
• organize
• innovate
• develop
• set up
• invent
• author
• devise
• produce
• conceive
• manufacture
• expand
• think (up)
• make up
• contrive
• fund
• concoct
• cook (up)
• enlarge
• finance
• arrange
• father
• subsidize
• endow
• fabricate
• systematize
• reinitiate
• reinstitute
• systemize
• put up
• relaunch
• refound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close (down)
• shut (up)
• stop
• end
• abolish
• finish
• nullify
• terminate
• annul
• halt
• phase out
• annihilate
• wind up
• round (off or out)
• wrap up

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

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