alpha

noun

ˈal-fə How to pronounce alpha (audio)
Definition of alphanext
as in beginning
the point at which something begins money is not the alpha and omega—the beginning and end—of life's purpose

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 alpha The project’s decades-long timeline underscores the scope and difficulty of reimplementing an operating system from scratch, and why the project has remained in alpha for so long. — Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Yes, theatrical is becoming the alpha, and streaming is the basic cable in today’s world. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 The researchers used the approach to design proteins that bind tightly to fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), a molecule associated with solid tumors. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 All four films contend with the tech alphas trying to remake our lives in their image. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alpha
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alpha
  1. beginning
  2. start
  3. onset
  4. inception
  5. launch
  6. commencement
Noun
  • Little’s victory could be the beginning of another Republican sweep.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In fact, Taylor’s playing at the beginning of the first set almost feels like a more angular take on early-’60s Money Jungle-era Ellington.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • Hemphill says doing the main pruning in spring prevents winter damage to tender young shoots and gives them a clean start for the new season.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Méndez finished his first regular season with six goals and four assists in 14 appearances with 10 starts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of start
Noun
  • This is a movie about selective memory, centered on a fortysomething film director named Shinpei (Kato Shinsuke) whose career has been prematurely halted by early-onset dementia.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Researchers from McGill University in Canada and the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom enrolled 96 adults between the ages of 18 and 45 who were living with obesity and early-onset type 2 diabetes.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of onset
Noun
  • The Christian Science Monitor owned and operated eight Linotype machines at inception.
    — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026
  • This happened despite the fact that calculations of orbital forcings, together with modeling of how carbon dioxide interferes with glacial inception, have suggested the next ice age was postponed by tens of thousands of years.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of inception
Noun
  • At launch, MTPeak withheld the performance and price tag details, using the excuse that the final cost will depend on individual customization.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Inside the classified mission USSF-432 is part of a series of national security launches associated with the Space Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of launch
Noun
  • Chiefs fans have been unhappy with kicker Harrison Butker for his uneven success the previous two seasons, as well as that viral commencement speech at Benedictine College.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Their achievement is worthy of commencement speakers from the local, state and federal level — including Nancy Pelosi.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of commencement

Browse Nearby Words

alp
alpha
alpha and omega
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alpha.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alpha. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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