initiative
adjective
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Definition of initiative
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of or relating to initiation : introductory, preliminary
initiative
noun
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Definition of initiative (Entry 2 of 2)
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
3a : 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
: at one's own discretion : independently of outside influence or control
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Synonyms for initiative
Synonyms: Noun
action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, enterprise, go, hustle
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Examples of initiative in a Sentence
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, 1906Noun
… 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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018 The girl of now initiative highlights women’s success stories in various fields. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "I dream of caftans," 23 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Ohio did not consider the prospect until 2015, when a full-legalization ballot initiative lost 2-1 in large measure due to the heavy public opposition from Ohio’s hospitals. — Anne Saker, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati hospitals reluctantly realize that medical marijuana is coming to town," 11 July 2018 In 2001, the couple’s trip to Cuba would spark a historic initiative between that country and the United States over a trove of Ernest Hemingway’s documents. — Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Accomplished filmmaker and therapist from Concord dies on Nantucket," 11 July 2018 The ballot initiative would automatically restore voting rights to felons who’ve completed all the terms of their sentences. — Scott Maxwell, OrlandoSentinel.com, "In Florida, getting back civil rights means groveling to politicians," 11 July 2018 Cynthia Kendoll, the group’s president, said in a phone interview Monday that because Oregon’s state Legislature is controlled by Democrats, a voter initiative is the only way to change immigration law. — Gillian Flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Groups mobilize against threat to Oregon’s ‘sanctuary’ law," 9 July 2018 Lipslut, the anti-Trump makeup brand born in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, just announced a huge initiative that will appeal to both makeup lovers and activists. — refinery29.com, "This Lipstick Brand Has Donated Over $100,000 To Help Reunite Migrant Families," 9 July 2018 But these voluntary initiatives have not made much difference. — Michael Holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Beijing gets tough on trash," 5 July 2018 Attracting, retaining and growing tech talent in North Carolina should be a key initiative for our state. — charlotteobserver, "Ashley Christensen," 3 July 2018 The Folklife Center began working with people in Catalonia, a region that has been seeking independence from Spain, on a language initiative years ago, studying languages historically spoken there. — Max Kutner, Smithsonian, "Some of Barcelona’s Most Acclaimed Musicians Will Rock and Rumba Washington D.C.," 27 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'initiative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for initiative
initiative
noun
English Language Learners Definition of initiative
the initiative : the power or opportunity to do something before others do
: the energy and desire that is needed to do something
: a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem
See the full definition for initiative in the English Language Learners Dictionary
initiative
noun
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Kids Definition of initiative
1 : a first step or movement I took the initiative and called first.
2 : energy shown in getting action started He's a person of great initiative.
initiative
noun
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Legal Definition of initiative
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)
2a : 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
: at one's own discretion : independently of outside influence, suggestion, or control the court may reduce a sentence on its own initiative — Ghrist v. People, 897 P.2d 809 (1995)
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