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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 The guide is famous for its Michelin Star restaurant ratings, which began in Europe in 1926. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 12 Oct. 2025 Advertisement 160 scientists in 23 countries compiled the latest data and literature on the topic, and found that, in the years since launching the report in 2023, reefs around the world have begun passing their thermal tipping point. Simmone Shah, Time, 12 Oct. 2025 On Saturday, Roberts said Ohtani’s swing decision issues began with the matchups. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Every year in the early fall, along the riverbanks and ravines of the Southeast coast, pawpaws begin to show up in the understory. Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
  • Initial trial retrievals of fuel debris from Unit 2 have already commenced.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The disarmament phase was slated to begin in the second stage of the agreement, which was set to commence after all the hostages were returned.
    Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • All of our finds are under $100, with many pieces on sale, and prices start at just $9.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Zac and Dylan’s bond has grown stronger over the years, especially after Dylan moved in with Zac while starting his career in Los Angeles.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Protect the football, establish balance early, and reduce penalties.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats in Congress are withholding their votes on a government spending bill to demand that Republicans extend these subsidies, which lower the cost of insurance for people who buy their own health care coverage in marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.
    Elena Shao, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Although Brandon Aiyuk became eligible in Week 5 to come off the Physically Unable To Perform list, the 49ers have yet to open his practice window.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The emergency center had originally opened in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Martissant in 2006, but was forced to move to Turgeau in 2021 for security reasons.
    NPR, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The project took two years to develop, originating as an independent effort to spotlight Rawalpindi’s stories internationally.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The sturdy wood vessel lined with a silky white interior originated as a traditional mortuary viewing casket before a midlife career change took it to the stage.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nunez said the firefighters quickly initiated rescue operations and freed two of the occupants from the car.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • On Friday, reports emerged that the NFL has officially initiated a review into the application of the concussion protocol for Dart's injury, an investigation that will be conducted jointly by the NFL and the NFLPA, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No matter what situation arises, the player knows how to solve it.
    Joe Boylan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • While the two companies have not had a commercial relationship in recent years, both Netflix and AMC are intrigued by the mutually beneficial opportunities that could arise from this and future collaborations.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On the fashion front, Schumacher, which was founded in New York by Parisian Frederic Schumacher in 1889, has been a pioneer in collaborations from its dawn.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The firm, which was founded in 2022, will utilize the funding to begin serial turbine production, refine its AI control algorithms, and develop next-generation models for diverse environments.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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