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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beginning
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Grab your sweetheart or your galentines and head to Chick-fil-A beginning on Monday, January 26, 2026 to get yours.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 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
Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
Hobbies encourage focus and lower stress by offering a clear beginning and end to an activity, according to Verywell Mind.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Grab your sweetheart or your galentines and head to Chick-fil-A beginning on Monday, January 26, 2026 to get yours.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 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 Hawks had nine of their 20 turnovers in the third quarter despite beginning the quarter on a 6-0 run.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the show beginning Monday.
—Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
The continued success of this residency — which is the longest in Sphere history — is further proof of the undying love for the Eagles, which got their start as the backing band for Linda Ronstadt in 1971.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In the coming years voters will have to grapple with those changes and determine new benchmarks, both for the lights-out aces whose arms couldn’t hold up and the steady workhorses who rarely missed a start.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Within Orthodox circles in Argentina, preparatory stages for conversion may take place in the country, but the beit din, or rabbinical court, that validates them operates in Israel.—
Juan Melamed,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Countries have been working through many of those questions at preparatory meetings, with a final session scheduled for late March.—
Annika Hammerschlag,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During an introductory press conference with the Steelers that got emotional at times, McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, beamed with pride about his third head coaching opportunity.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Kevin Stefanski walked into his introductory news conference Tuesday smiling, joking about the weather, and sounding exactly like a coach ready to get to work.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
And that leader was starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who carried a simple message.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Peter Murray, the founding CEO of mixed martial arts organization Professional Fighters League, is joining the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) as chief executive officer, the league announced.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Cofounder of women’s network Chief Lindsay Kaplan is joining Bullish as a venture partner; the fund is an investor in Warby Parker and Casper, where Kaplan was a founding team member.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What Rusbridger’s account leaves out is that the BBC has reproduced the prejudices of successive British establishments since its inception in the early twentieth century, whether by propagandizing against workers during the general strike of 1926 or by condemning the antiwar protests of 2003.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For the first time since its inception, Gmail will now let users change their primary @gmail address.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Provincial transport department official Siboniso Duma said in a statement that 11 people, including a schoolchild, died at the scene, although that was according to preliminary information.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The coroner also said the preliminary cause of death included intrauterine fetal demise caused by her injuries.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
