as in start
the point at which something begins
the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introductory
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commencing
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founding
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of beginning
ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
After what basically amounted to a winter sabbatical of sorts, having been out of sight since the beginning of December, Venus — by far the most brilliant of the naked-eye planets — is now fully back in view.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Santa Margarita will play a three-game series against Mater Dei next week beginning on Monday.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
The beginning of the third period was delayed more than 20 minutes because of an issue with a spot on the ice.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
After what basically amounted to a winter sabbatical of sorts, having been out of sight since the beginning of December, Venus — by far the most brilliant of the naked-eye planets — is now fully back in view.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
A lot of the dialogue existed and the crew had the beginning demos of the songs to work with.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
The journey back to the mound is complete, but Nardi’s full journey is just beginning.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Santa Margarita will play a three-game series against Mater Dei next week beginning on Monday.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Texas’ big offseason trade acquisition, left-hander MacKenzie Gore, will make his first start for the Rangers against Philadelphia lefty Jesus Luzardo.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The firm has over 70 years of history, and the family got its start with cotton syndication in the United Kingdom.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But diplomatic protocol ahead of a presidential visit to China usually sees either the US secretary of state or the national security advisor make a preparatory trip too, and that did not happen.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Before the performance, students participate in several preparatory rehearsals.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Those moves were widely expected, as Geren was already referred to as the board’s president at an introductory news conference for new Superintendent Peter Licata on March 24.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This introductory offer allows new players to simply sign up and play a $5 lineup to get the reward, providing an immediate boost to your starting bankroll.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.—
Annabelle Gurwitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even amid this buzz, however, the cracks are starting to show.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Insurance wildfire models are starting to play the role of the grading scale, and policies such as Zone Zero, the national building codes.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McHugh, who joins CAA after serving as founding agent at United Talent Agency’s ventures group, will work across film, television, music, sports and digital talent to build global consumer brands and businesses.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The pair will support the subsidiary’s founding mission to develop and produce projects in the UK and across Europe.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
According to Powerball, the jackpot has been hit almost 200 times since the lottery's inception in 1992.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Bollati’s’ family-run business has reported organic growth since its inception, save for the 2008 macro-financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Elon Musk’s space exploration company has filed preliminary paperwork to sell shares to the public, according to two sources familiar with the filing, a blockbuster offering that would likely rank as the biggest ever and could make its founder the world’s first trillionaire.—
Bernard Condon,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Segall asked Altman’s thoughts about news that a federal judge last week issued a preliminary injunction against the Pentagon’s action to label Anthropic’s AI a threat to the supply chain.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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