1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
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 began
When Richards began his career in criminal-justice advocacy, the idea of closing Rikers Island would have been a radical fantasy.
—
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Spencer Strider, who began the year sidelined with a right oblique strain and struggled with command upon his return last week, looked close to vintage form in Los Angeles.
—Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Her current imprisonment began when she was arrested in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Video footage appeared to show Pretti recording the agents on his phone before a physical altercation began.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Since a pause in fighting began more than a month ago, naval forces have traded fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Runway collision, smoke reported during emergency evacuation Videos shared on social media by a passenger appear to show the moment of impact as the Frontier Airlines aircraft began its takeoff roll at Denver International Airport.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Chase Meidroth began the inning with a single.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Bloom reveals the pair hit it off straight away, and that he was especially charmed by how Barrymore, who began acting at only 11 months old, made an effort to connect with all of the kids on set, too.
—EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Spencer Strider, who began the year sidelined with a right oblique strain and struggled with command upon his return last week, looked close to vintage form in Los Angeles.
—Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Her current imprisonment began when she was arrested in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.
—Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Video footage appeared to show Pretti recording the agents on his phone before a physical altercation began.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Since a pause in fighting began more than a month ago, naval forces have traded fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Runway collision, smoke reported during emergency evacuation Videos shared on social media by a passenger appear to show the moment of impact as the Frontier Airlines aircraft began its takeoff roll at Denver International Airport.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Chase Meidroth began the inning with a single.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Bloom reveals the pair hit it off straight away, and that he was especially charmed by how Barrymore, who began acting at only 11 months old, made an effort to connect with all of the kids on set, too.
—EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
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The news comes a few weeks after Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) boss Ravi Ahuja commenced a months-long layoffs process that will impact a few hundred of its 12,000 global staff.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
Anika Reed The Beyoncé Gala has finally commenced.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
-
Barker and Tomlinson had been at it for a year when the pandemic started, and their classes migrated to Zoom.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple co-founded The Gap after a frustrating shopping experience when Don Fisher couldn’t find a pair of jeans that fit, according to the retailer.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Musk left OpenAI’s board in 2018 and founded his own AI company, called xAI, in 2023.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
This is one of the longest-standing Filipino restaurants in Little Manila, opened in 1992 by Renee and Ernesto Dizon, who wanted to serve the neighborhood’s growing population of immigrant nurses.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Kelsey Plum scored 11 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter, but by then the Aces had opened a 20-plus point lead.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The formats hotbed of The Netherlands, where The Traitors originated, came out well from K7’s decade-topping list – the first time such data has been compiled – with The Floor from Talpa Studios coming second at 32 adaptations since 2020.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Bauck confirmed the state health department has investigated three cases, two of which originated in Minnesota and one involving a person who caught it in another state before coming home.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Our economic systems are not serving the people who live here, whose forefathers established this new republic, and our grandparents actualized the peak of its success.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Tarleton State first established its presence in Fort Worth in 1978 with a medical laboratory science program.—
Samuel O’Neal
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Last week, a group of Spirit’s former employees and fans launched an online campaign to buy the airline.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Torres launched a shot in nearly the identical spot as Copeland for a two-run homer and Hagerty was on its way to Fort Myers.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Even with the new tunnel machines, obstacles arose.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
The goal was to play a patient game then jump on the offensive when opportunities arose rather than trying to force the issue and abdicate defensive responsibilities.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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