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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 founder of his eponymous ministry, Jimmy Swaggart began preaching on the radio in the early 1960s. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 1 July 2025 The winner will be determined through online voting that began in March and ends at noon Wednesday, July 9. Voters can cast a ballot once a day for best tux and best dress categories using their email addresses, with five finalists in each category. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025 Jeff Jones took over and oversaw the astounding explosion of Beatles archival projects, especially the deluxe editions that began in 2017 with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025 Sacramento’s search for a point guard began as soon as the Kings hired Scott Perry as their new general manager. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
  • In October 2022, the NFLPA commenced a System Arbitration alleging exactly that.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour, which commenced in 2022, launched a new North American leg in May with stadium dates through September.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • As the euro and the dollar move in opposite directions, investors have started rebalancing their portfolios toward European equities.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • One of the notes came not long after jurors started deliberating and raised concerns from several jurors about another member of the panel.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • And the state Riley Act, also passed in 1933, required California local governments to establish a building department and inspect new construction.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • For this historic journey, Kipyegon utilized male pacers to help establish the pace of the race.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • The offshore yuan was little changed on the news and China’s equity futures were yet to open.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Large sliding rear side doors can be configured to open at the push of a key fob button and make buckling kids into their car seats easier, especially in crowded parking lots.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, part of the name Pontianak may originate in the pohon tinggi, or tall trees, that serve as her lair.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025
  • Fallon Tallent killed two Wilson County police officers during a police pursuit that originated in Knoxville, but how to prove intent was at the heart of the 2004 trial.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The water initiates a chemical reaction that lasts about six hours.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
  • Mamdani, a democratic socialist, shocked political observers Tuesday by leading New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo by 7 points before New York even began initiating the ranked choice calculations, drawing a concession from Cuomo and declaring victory himself.
    Tara Suter, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • That means naming the fear, the confusion and even the shame that might arise.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As for cosmic weather this week, note that power struggles around ideas may arise on June 29, while July 4 could bring big ups, downs or spontaneity to relationships.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Lululemon was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1998 and has emerged as a leading retailer in the fashionable athletic space.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 1 July 2025
  • Westbrook was founded by Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Miguel Melendez and Ko Yada, and focuses on empowering artists to tell stories that connect the world.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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