Definition of initiative
:of or relating to initiation :introductory, preliminary
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Examples of initiative in a Sentence
- 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
Origin and Etymology of initiative
Definition of initiative
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 1
Examples of initiative in a Sentence
- … 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 of initiative from the Web
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One Belt, One Road’ infrastructure initiative that may fuel as much as $500 billion of international investment.
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The Trump administration is abandoning another Obama-era regulatory initiative, killing a plan to allow cities to set aside work for local residents on federally funded public works projects.
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UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla will match funds raised in the revitalization initiative up to $1 million, doubling the impact of donations.
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Beshear’s office is partially funding the initiative with settlement funds from drug companies.
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Simmons is one of the dozens of players in the Gary 4 Life basketball league, an anti-violence initiative established in 2014 aimed at curbing the city's high crime rates.
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This important initiative will work to provide immediate assistance and stabilization to residents, dialogues on reconciliation, and programs for restoration and healing.
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These were vast initiatives to bring culture to the masses and monuments symbolizing progressive modernity to the luxurious but staid Parisian landscape.
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Glennon's leadership initiatives amount to an important foundation for his opportunity this year as the starter.
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of initiative
initiative Synonyms
Synonyms
action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, go, hustle, enterpriseRelated Words
grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch; ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness; assertiveness, self-reliance; energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitalityNear Antonyms
inactivity, inertia, passivity; diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity; hesitation, reluctance; indolence, laziness, lethargyINITIATIVE Defined for English Language Learners
initiative
play
noun
Definition of initiative for English Language Learners
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the initiative : the power or opportunity to do something before others do
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: the energy and desire that is needed to do something
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: a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem
INITIATIVE Defined for Kids
initiative
play
noun
ini·tia·tive
\
i-ˈni-shə-tiv
\
Definition of initiative for Students
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.
Law Dictionary
initiative
play
noun
ini·tia·tive
\
i-ˈni-shə-tiv, -shē-ə-tiv
\
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)
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
—
on oneʼs own initiative
: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)
Learn More about initiative
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for initiative Spanish Central: Translation of 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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