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
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Recent Examples of beginning
Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Palantir has been working with the government since the beginning—its first customer being the CIA—and government contracts still make up a majority of its business.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Well, the beginning days of spring can be cold, too.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
San Tan Valley will take local control in July 2026, at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Palantir has been working with the government since the beginning—its first customer being the CIA—and government contracts still make up a majority of its business.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The beginning weeks of DOGE earlier this year were marked by chaos and confusion as the group carried out mass layoffs and spending cuts across federal agencies.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Well, the beginning days of spring can be cold, too.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the United States, many of the referees are beginning to fall in line.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
The Elmbrook School District is considering changing its school start and end times, an idea that could affect the schedules of nearly 8,000 students.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Two batters into his Wednesday start, Chicago Cubs right-hander Cade Horton watched the Cincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer pop up his 83 mph sweeper for what should have been an easy out.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To prepare for the frigid waters of Antarctica, Wigginton, a master scuba diver, plans to conduct some preparatory dives in Lake Huron at 60-90 feet, where water temperature is similar to the 25-foot goal in Antarctica.—
Lara Terpstra,
Freep.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
According to a Reuters report released Thursday, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), the federal regulatory agency overseeing railroads, are already conducting preparatory work in anticipation of a possible two deals.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Over its introductory weekend in theaters, the third Man of Steel reboot released this millennium sold $125 million in tickets in North America.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
-
In its history, over 2.5 million young people have taken a free introductory flight through Young Eagles.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
The New Year is starting with a fresh warning for those who work with animals in Texas.—
Li Cohen,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Since founding the lifestyle brand Simplified in 2008, the mother of three has amassed over 30,000 followers on Substack and nearly 300,000 on Instagram.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In less than half a year since its inception, the company secured $2 billion in seed funding in July, reaching a valuation of approximately $12 billion.—
,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The Cheval Noir represents the political fight that pushed Montreal to become one of Canada’s most progressive cities — an ideology that’s been at the core of the festival since its inception.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Dunn was charged with felony assault, released without detention, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 4.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Aug. 2025
-
That’s skipping over a June incident when a Starship rocket exploded while being loaded with methane and liquid oxygen propellant ahead of its launch — due, Musk later said, citing preliminary data, to problems in the payload bay.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the fastest-growing districts in the state, Leander ISD operates dozens of elementary, middle and high schools.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
There are indications that students who had to attend school at the elementary and high school level were noticeably behind where other students would have been at that same point in their education.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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