usher

as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

Examples of usher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since then, camo print has been ushered into a new era as a cool status symbol that has been further amplified by a younger demographic of non-conservative voters through Harris/Walz campaign merch—specifically, a camo baseball cap. Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024 After the accident, the families were ushered into the crew quarters to await further news. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 He was ushered into show business by his vaudevillian parents at only 18 months old. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Oct. 2024 As guests walked down the red carpet and into the Embassy, they were ushered into a room of vibrant colors and a display of the brand’s iconic buckle. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for usher 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'usher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near usher

Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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