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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Several states, including California, quickly began to dole out benefits.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2025
According to the report, McClure was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer southbound when the vehicle left the road and began to spin.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
More than 4,800 flights have been canceled across the nation since the Federal Aviation Administration began restricting flight capacity at 40 major airports on Friday due to the ongoing government shutdown.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for begin
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Several states, including California, quickly began to dole out benefits.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2025
According to the report, McClure was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer southbound when the vehicle left the road and began to spin.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
More than 4,800 flights have been canceled across the nation since the Federal Aviation Administration began restricting flight capacity at 40 major airports on Friday due to the ongoing government shutdown.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
-
Pre-production is slated for Q3 2026, with filming scheduled to commence in Q1 2027.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Other players, however, insist that disarmament must commence first, or else any political process will be subjected to Hamas’s interference, and to arm-twisting by those who can exert influence with their guns and tunnels.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Readiness takes into account students who are prepared for life after graduation, including by enrolling in college, starting a career or enlisting in the military.—
Dmitry Martirosov,
Arkansas Online,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In his place, KU (2-1) started Elmarko Jackson.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The film is set in 1935 Tartu and at the University of Tartu, where, a year earlier, Professor Lazar Gulkowitsch, exiled from Germany, had established a chair of Judaic Studies within the Faculty of Philosophy.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While proponents of wearable technology in prisons and jails have described it as potentially lifesaving, privacy rights groups and even law enforcement officials say the devices can raise ethical and legal concerns and urge agencies to establish strict rules on data use, retention and consent.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement In April 2021, Min Aung Hlaing personally agreed at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting to the Five Point Consensus intended to end the bloodshed and open a path toward dialogue.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The video opens with her washing dishes when a golden ring slips down the drain.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The rumor appears to have originated on blog Redanian Intelligence, which claimed that British actor Tom Turner (Beauty and the Beast) had been cast as series narrator.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The local documentary company All Facts originated the grant amid a downturn in local production.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Quds Force, was initiated at the end of 2024 and was active through the first half of this year, said the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Elsewhere, Japan, Australia, and France have initiated hypersonic weapon programs with a focus on regional security and allied cooperation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These measures arise as essential staff—particularly air traffic controllers—have been working without paychecks.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The conflict could also arise over other core values, such as how to raise kids or what activities to prioritize in the relationship.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
About 1,000 people attended an event Monday night by Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded, at the university’s Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
He’s collaborated with the company since it was founded in 2022.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share