initiate

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verb

Definition of INITIATE

1

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of <no one knows who initiated written language>

Synonyms begin, constitute, establish, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, plant, set up, start

Related Words author, father, originate; conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up); construct, put up; develop, enlarge, expand; endow, finance, fund, subsidize; arrange, organize, systematize, systemize; refound, reinitiate, reinstitute, relaunch

Near Antonyms abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify; end, finish, halt, stop, terminate; round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

Antonyms close (down), phase out, shut (up)

2

to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to <initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct>

Synonyms accustom, familiarize, initiate, introduce, orient, orientate

Related Words habituate, wont; apprise, brief, clue (in), fill in, inform; educate, enlighten, ground, instruct, school, train, verse; expose, present, subject; advise, tell, tip (off), warn, wise (up); reacquaint

3

to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies <initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers>

Synonyms baptize, inaugurate, induct, initiate, instate, invest, seat

Related Words swear in; consecrate, enshrine; accept, admit, receive, take in; enlist, enroll (also enrol)

Near Antonyms can, discharge, fire, terminate; muster out