ini·tia·tive
i-ˈni-shə-tiv 
also -shē-ə-tiv
1
: an introductory step
took the initiative in attempting to settle the issue
2
: energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise
showed great initiative
3
a
: the right to initiate legislative action
b
: a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval compare referendum sense 1
: of or relating to initiation : introductory, preliminary
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
… on the day before their Club Med flight she took the initiative of telephoning Franco from work, ostensibly to tell him that she had really admired his new place …
—
John Barth, Atlantic, March 1995
Following initiatives begun before the First World War, thirty-four states instituted or expanded workers' compensation laws in the 1920s.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
Since the social victim has been oppressed by society, he comes to feel that his individual life will be improved more by changes in society than by his own initiative.
—Shelby Steele, Harper's, June 1988
If you want to meet her, you're going to have to take the initiative and introduce yourself.
The company has the opportunity to seize the initiative by getting its new products to the market before its competitors.
The governor has proposed a new initiative to improve conditions in urban schools.
Adjective
Luther's daring initiative thoughts did indeed come from above, but he owed them to no man or age.
—Junius B. Remensnyder, What the World Owes Luther, 1917
Many writers maintain that there is a rule of International Law forbidding the commencement of war without a declaration of war. But such rule, in fact, does not exist, for a great many wars take place without an initiative declaration of war.
—Lassa Oppenheim, International Law, 1906
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John Barth, Atlantic, March 1995
Following initiatives begun before the First World War, thirty-four states instituted or expanded workers' compensation laws in the 1920s.
—Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988
Since the social victim has been oppressed by society, he comes to feel that his individual life will be improved more by changes in society than by his own initiative.
—Shelby Steele, Harper's, June 1988
If you want to meet her, you're going to have to take the initiative and introduce yourself.
The company has the opportunity to seize the initiative by getting its new products to the market before its competitors.
The governor has proposed a new initiative to improve conditions in urban schools.
Adjective
Luther's daring initiative thoughts did indeed come from above, but he owed them to no man or age.
—Junius B. Remensnyder, What the World Owes Luther, 1917
Many writers maintain that there is a rule of International Law forbidding the commencement of war without a declaration of war. But such rule, in fact, does not exist, for a great many wars take place without an initiative declaration of war.
—Lassa Oppenheim, International Law, 1906
See More
Recent Examples on the WebJack Birle, Washington Examiner, 17 May 2023
Mutter said the new community center will provide education and workforce training, help the town’s EMS and paramedics teams, and connect community partners with daily initiatives.
—Carlos R. Muñoz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023
Proposition 203, also known as Arizona's English-only immersion law, was bankrolled by Ron Unz, a Silicon Valley software engineer, who also bankrolled similar English-only immersion ballot initiatives that passed in California and Massachusetts.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 15 May 2023
Bogdan-Martin organized the Equals Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age and initiated a collaboration with UNICEF on the Giga initiative to connect schools to the Internet.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 May 2023
Josh Rudolph, head of malign finance at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an initiative to deter efforts to undermine democracy, asserted that Twitter's move to restrict some users of its platform in Turkey was politically motivated.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 May 2023
Noormohamed said artists coming together in this initiative have the opportunity to connect with their communities and create what essentially becomes a gathering space so people can organically learn together, demand together, grieve together and act together.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2023
However, the focus shifted during the Obama and Trump administrations, giving space to special interests to push dangerous new projects anchored on autocrats like Prime Minister Rama and Serbian President Aleksander Vucic, such as the Open Balkans initiative.
—Chris Massaro, Fox News, 13 May 2023
Newsom also maintained ongoing major initiatives; notably, the gradual expansion of public education to all 4-year-olds.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023
Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022
Cuomo correctly assessed that as the nation reckoned with active anti-initiative from the federal government, competence itself could become its own kind of sell.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2021
Paizo undertook relatively significant changes to the skill system, how initiative order is determined, and the iconic critical success and critical failure criteria.
—Sam Ferguson, Ars Technica, 30 July 2019
The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields.
—Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, 23 May 2018
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Noun
Lee has been a supporter of the California initiative and spoke at the task force's most recent meeting earlier this month.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 17 May 2023
Mutter said the new community center will provide education and workforce training, help the town’s EMS and paramedics teams, and connect community partners with daily initiatives.
—Carlos R. Muñoz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023
Proposition 203, also known as Arizona's English-only immersion law, was bankrolled by Ron Unz, a Silicon Valley software engineer, who also bankrolled similar English-only immersion ballot initiatives that passed in California and Massachusetts.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 15 May 2023
Bogdan-Martin organized the Equals Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age and initiated a collaboration with UNICEF on the Giga initiative to connect schools to the Internet.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 May 2023
Josh Rudolph, head of malign finance at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an initiative to deter efforts to undermine democracy, asserted that Twitter's move to restrict some users of its platform in Turkey was politically motivated.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 May 2023
Noormohamed said artists coming together in this initiative have the opportunity to connect with their communities and create what essentially becomes a gathering space so people can organically learn together, demand together, grieve together and act together.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2023
However, the focus shifted during the Obama and Trump administrations, giving space to special interests to push dangerous new projects anchored on autocrats like Prime Minister Rama and Serbian President Aleksander Vucic, such as the Open Balkans initiative.
—Chris Massaro, Fox News, 13 May 2023
Newsom also maintained ongoing major initiatives; notably, the gradual expansion of public education to all 4-year-olds.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023
Adjective
The initiative also spurred groups on both sides of the debate, including the anti-initiative National Restaurant Association, to open their pockets.
—Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022
Cuomo correctly assessed that as the nation reckoned with active anti-initiative from the federal government, competence itself could become its own kind of sell.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2021
Paizo undertook relatively significant changes to the skill system, how initiative order is determined, and the iconic critical success and critical failure criteria.
—Sam Ferguson, Ars Technica, 30 July 2019
The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields.
—Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, 23 May 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'initiative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing initiative
Dictionary Entries Near initiative
Cite this Entry
“Initiative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiative. Accessed 29 May. 2023.
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Kids Definition
initiative
noun
ini·tia·tive
in-ˈish-ət-iv
1
: a first step or movement
take the initiative in becoming acquainted
2
: energy shown in initiating something
has ability but lacks initiative
3
: a plan or program intended to solve a problem
Legal Definition
initiative
noun
ini·tia·tive
i-ˈni-shə-tiv, -shē-ə-tiv
1
: the especially introductory series of steps taken to cause a desired result
the deposing party would ordinarily be required to take the initiative in arranging a deposition—Andrews v. Bradshaw, 895 P.2d 973 (1995)
Andrews v. Bradshaw, 895 P.2d 973 (1995)2
a
: the right to initiate legislative action
b
: a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval see also referendum
More from Merriam-Webster on initiative
Nglish: Translation of initiative for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of initiative for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about initiative
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