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
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
This is really the beginning of my journey, before either Atlantics or Lamb existed.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 27 July 2025
At the beginning part of camp, there is installation.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The animation on the facade of Bergdorf Goodman’s women’s store is effectively a visual journey, beginning with a Mongolian landscape where Loro Piana sources its cashmere, and transitioning to a field of thistle flowers.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
It’s been false from the very beginning.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
This is really the beginning of my journey, before either Atlantics or Lamb existed.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Back from holiday after a month away, John Oliver wasted no time in getting down to brass tacks, spending the beginning 10 minutes of Last Week Tonight addressing Donald Trump‘s desperate attempts to redirect national conversation away from the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 27 July 2025
At the beginning part of camp, there is installation.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
Verb
In the past four seasons, beginning with their 2022 playoff team, the Mariners have issued the fewest walks in the majors.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The animation on the facade of Bergdorf Goodman’s women’s store is effectively a visual journey, beginning with a Mongolian landscape where Loro Piana sources its cashmere, and transitioning to a field of thistle flowers.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
The Lions fall to 4-2 with the defeat while the Chiefs continue to correct their stuttering start to the year by improving to 3-3.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start through the first six weeks of the 2025 season, the team announced on Monday.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The introductory rate for a single-person membership is $249 per month, although the monthly dues will likely increase based on demand, Dewey, the general manager, said.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And in the comments of her introductory video, her team shoots down every plausible guess.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The case is scheduled to be heard in London’s High Court, commencing on October 28.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The rebate checks were issued for three consecutive years, commencing in 1999.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But institutional gravity is already starting to pull the two organizations together.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The consequences are starting to take hold right now.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Colleagues considered her a mentor, a yenta, a founding mother — always tough, and always true to herself.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The four homes, belonging to the founding families, are among the oldest structures in Brownsville.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since the category’s inception, the tribute has been awarded to projects including Moonlight, The Hurt Locker, Babel, Winter’s Bone, The Favourite, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Fire Island, and most recently, The Piano Lesson, among others.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Chinese contemporary artist Lang brought Hirono to life in 2021 and has released nine series and plenty of non-series characters and collaborations since its inception.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His wife, Rebecca Haro, was charged with two crimes — murder and filing a false report — and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing the day Jake Haro will be sentenced.—
Madeline Morrison,
NBC news,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The company has held preliminary discussions with a leading North American medical institution regarding a potential pilot project.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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