inceptive

adjective

Definition of inceptivenext
as in initial
beginning to come into existence only just recently gained an inceptive understanding of the overwhelming vastness of the universe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inceptive Vaccinating our faculty and staff is our first step toward keeping our schools open and safe and will be inceptive to reopening our economy. — Margaret W. Long, chicagotribune.com, 19 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inceptive
  1. initial
  2. nascent
  3. first
  4. elementary
  5. incipient
  6. inchoate
Adjective
  • The captain did not enter a plea during an initial appearance in federal court on August 10.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • According to police, Rodriguez hired her son as a security guard with an initial salary of $42,000.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • In 1801, on the nation’s 25th birthday, the nascent District of Columbia’s muddy streets were chockablock with horse racing and cockfighting, according to the White House Historical Association.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the time, ConnectSafely’s only funder was MySpace, but Kelly agreed to provide funding for our nascent internet-safety nonprofit.
    — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of nascent
Adjective
  • The Valkyries took off in the second quarter after another slow start, ending the first half on an 11-0 run on the way to a 44-28 lead at the break.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • View this post on Instagram Charles Esten Charles Esten recalled his first time meeting Panettiere while auditioning for Nashville.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of first
Adjective
  • At Venetian Parc Academy, elementary students were starting the year in classrooms without individual desks, working in groups and using artificial intelligence as part of their daily lessons.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
  • According to the district, only 83% of elementary seats and 79% of middle school seats were filled during the 2024 to 2025 school year.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • Yet people in Venezuela saw few indications of an incipient transition.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Nolan, who also wrote the screenplay, cuts between Ulysses’ trials and Telemachus’ travels through the Ionian isles to find out whether his father is still alive – a matter of some importance both to his incipient manhood and to Penelope back home.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
Definition of incipient
Adjective
  • Yet, even these inchoate moments deepen the music’s sense of honest confusion.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
  • These are the inchoate and unarticulated aspects of the relationship an author offers to us through a book, the parts of the reading experience that provide a kind of psychological mooring for a reader.
    — Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Definition of inchoate

Browse Nearby Words

inceptions
inceptive
incertitude
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inceptive. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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