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
Satellite television brought a plethora of choice into the living room, Western brands began to appear in shops and, for a burgeoning middle class, the definition of success was suddenly rewritten.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, Goodwin began to feel pain shooting down from her shoulder, most likely a consequence of repetitive computer work.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
After the Herald began reporting on the A3 Foundation, Levine Cava called for an audit of the charity, and Miami-Dade commissioners voted to divert a yearly A3 Foundation allocation in a county contract to Miami-Dade’s Parks Foundation instead.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Many Federal Aviation Administration facilities are so critically short on controllers that just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
What began as a simple tile project has evolved into a full-time career as a DIY enthusiast.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, Goodwin began to feel pain shooting down from her shoulder, most likely a consequence of repetitive computer work.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
After the Herald began reporting on the A3 Foundation, Levine Cava called for an audit of the charity, and Miami-Dade commissioners voted to divert a yearly A3 Foundation allocation in a county contract to Miami-Dade’s Parks Foundation instead.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Many Federal Aviation Administration facilities are so critically short on controllers that just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
What began as a simple tile project has evolved into a full-time career as a DIY enthusiast.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
-
And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Though their time on DWTS commenced nearly two decades ago, Julianne, who joined a season before Derek, remembered their playful competitiveness stirring up even further back.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The initial symptoms began in early 2024, when Farrington, 45, started to experience dreadful night sweats.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Pandemic deals gave way to record rents, and evictions started up again.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jared Isaacman, who founded the payments company Shift4, has organized, funded and commanded two private astronaut missions to Earth orbit, both of them using SpaceX hardware.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
All the company had emitted since Gates founded it in 1975 would be gone, the full footprint washed away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For Starbucks patrons at an upscale mall in Beijing’s central business district – the same complex where the company first opened its doors in China in 1999 – the news doesn’t come as a complete surprise.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The data doesn’t make clear exactly where the money in Korf and Laber’s accounts originated.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If successful, Proposition 50 would ditch a nonpartisan commission California voters established via a 2010 ballot initiative that draws those district boundaries.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
After joining Harvard’s faculty, Morgan established the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute in 2007, recognizing the genre’s deep intellectual and cultural value at a time when few in academia did.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The software, called VenApp, was originally launched by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2022 as a hybrid application, integrating a messaging service with a helpline for people to report issues with utility services, such as power outages and water disruptions.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
For instance, Biden, with the other G7 leaders, launched a six-hundred-billion-dollar multilateral effort—the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment—to offer infrastructure financing to developing countries as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Typically coming out in the fall, the publication arose in a time when sophisticated weather forecasting — and even automobiles — didn't exist.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Related Stories The announcement of a farewell tour brings at least some clarity to the future of the group, after confusion arose amid statements ade on social media in early October by Neal Schon.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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