Synonyms of beginning

beginning 1 of 3

noun

bi-ˈgi-niŋ 

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

• start
• inception
• commencement
• onset
• alpha
• launch
• outset
• dawn
• genesis
• morning
• birth
• infancy
• baseline
• threshold
• day one
• kickoff
• inauguration
• get-go
• initiation
• origination
• incipiency
• nascence
• incipience
• founding
• nascency
• origin
• first base
• arrival
• spring
• creation
• opening
• emergence
• dawning
• drawing board
• debut
• institution
• advent
• well
• ground zero
• source
• germ
• childhood
• cradle
• fountain
• square one
• appearance
• root
• youth
• seedbed
• fountainhead
• wellspring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• end
• conclusion
• ending
• close
• period
• completion
• closing
• finish
• stop
• termination
• closure
• cessation
• omega
• finale
• windup

beginning

2 of 3

adjective

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

• preparatory
• preliminary
• introductory
• primary
• early
• preparative
• prefatory
• precursory
• preparing
• prelusive
• introducing
• prelim
• previous
• basic
• prior
• elementary
• preceding
• ahead
• fundamental
• warning
• prefacing
• readying
• premonitory
• former

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• subsequent
• after
• behind

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

• introductory
• elementary
• basic
• rudimentary
• fundamental
• underlying
• essential
• basal
• elemental
• simple
• preliminary
• rudimental
• prime
• abecedarian
• primary
• meat-and-potatoes
• preparatory
• primeval
• primordial
• uncomplicated
• crucial
• primal
• important
• primitive
• key
• crude
• rude

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advanced
• complex
• extensive
• sophisticated
• detailed
• higher
• complicated
• high
• elaborate
• evolved
• developed
• intricate
• refined
• convoluted

beginning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of begin

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

• commencing
• starting
• opening
• launching
• falling (to)
• entering (into or upon)
• creating
• striking (into)
• embarking (on or upon)
• getting off
• initiating
• getting to
• originating
• leading off
• getting going
• organizing
• setting about
• establishing
• generating
• kicking off
• adopting
• inaugurating
• founding
• inventing
• instituting
• pioneering
• spawning
• innovating
• taking on
• taking up
• embracing
• getting down (to)
• setting up
• getting around (to)
• fathering
• getting round (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• finishing
• concluding
• terminating
• stopping
• halting
• ceasing
• closing
• completing
• discontinuing
• quitting
• laying off
• leaving
• abandoning
• desisting
• destroying
• knocking off
• abolishing
• forsaking
• extinguishing
• phasing out
• exterminating
• demolishing

2

as in starting

to come into existence

the storm began late in the day and lasted all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• starting
• commencing
• originating
• arising
• appearing
• being
• forming
• emerging
• arriving
• dawning
• springing
• existing
• living
• breaking
• lasting
• continuing
• actualizing
• setting in
• materializing
• engendering
• breathing
• surviving
• coming on
• subsisting
• shaping (up)
• persisting
• enduring
• coalescing
• cohering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ending
• stopping
• ceasing
• finishing
• concluding
• terminating
• halting
• discontinuing
• quitting
• disappearing
• vanishing
• dying
• dissolving
• evaporating
• departing
• expiring
• desisting
• passing away
• perishing

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

• founding
• establishing
• initiating
• pioneering
• introducing
• launching
• creating
• starting
• instituting
• inaugurating
• planting
• originating
• constituting
• constructing
• organizing
• innovating
• developing
• setting up
• inventing
• authoring
• manufacturing
• thinking (up)
• devising
• producing
• cooking (up)
• expanding
• conceiving
• funding
• financing
• making up
• enlarging
• fathering
• subsidizing
• concocting
• contriving
• arranging
• endowing
• fabricating
• systematizing
• relaunching
• reinstituting
• reinitiating
• refounding
• putting up
• systemizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• closing (down)
• ending
• shutting (up)
• phasing out
• abolishing
• finishing
• stopping
• terminating
• halting
• nullifying
• annulling
• annihilating
• winding up
• rounding (off or out)
• wrapping up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of beginning

Noun

Tatum followed up immediately with a sidestep 3-pointer, the beginning of his comeback story that led to a night of 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Many of the trademark items on the current menu like Shrimp Remoulade and Boiled Beef Brisket have been there since the beginning. —Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 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

Ole Miss awaits seeding for the SEC Tournament beginning on Wednesday. —ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

Atmospheric disturbances rotating around this system will move into Texas beginning Saturday night. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026