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
The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran's clerical leadership.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Using products by celeb-favorite skin care brand iS Clinical, Flores began by cleansing Williams' skin with the lightweight Cleansing Complex before spraying his skin with a Copper Firming Mist.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
The bit began with two UFC fighters who emerged to serve as their personal bodyguards against any ravenous super-fans.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2005, McKee began medical school at Ohio State University and interned at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center starting in 2014, records show.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The Knicks began to pull away in the final minutes, going up 60-54 on Karl-Anthony Towns' basket.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Alvin Dewey, the detective in charge for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, began to tolerate him; later, Capote would charm Dewey’s wife, Marie, and Dewey himself.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Warriors coach Steve Kerr began his pregame press conference by remembering the rock and roll icon.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
If this year’s March and June get-togethers were learning exercises — including for the staff after Tuchel began work in January — the next two and the one starting today (Sunday) are all about creating an atmosphere the players and the English public can all buy into.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Using products by celeb-favorite skin care brand iS Clinical, Flores began by cleansing Williams' skin with the lightweight Cleansing Complex before spraying his skin with a Copper Firming Mist.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
The bit began with two UFC fighters who emerged to serve as their personal bodyguards against any ravenous super-fans.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2005, McKee began medical school at Ohio State University and interned at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center starting in 2014, records show.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The Knicks began to pull away in the final minutes, going up 60-54 on Karl-Anthony Towns' basket.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Alvin Dewey, the detective in charge for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, began to tolerate him; later, Capote would charm Dewey’s wife, Marie, and Dewey himself.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Warriors coach Steve Kerr began his pregame press conference by remembering the rock and roll icon.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
If this year’s March and June get-togethers were learning exercises — including for the staff after Tuchel began work in January — the next two and the one starting today (Sunday) are all about creating an atmosphere the players and the English public can all buy into.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
-
No tariffs decision Tuesday’s argument commenced after the Supreme Court released its next batch of opinions in cases argued earlier this term.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has officially commenced harbor trials for Hull 096, a 426 foot (130-meter) vessel that holds the title of the world’s largest battery-electric ship.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The brunch also shone a spotlight on the fellows of the ReFrame Rise program, a fellowship co-founded by WIF and Sundance Institute that supports 10 mid-career directors and cinematographers, all of whom were present at the event.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pruneyard Cinemas opened to a lot of fanfare in 2018, but its owners have been running uphill — and losing ground — since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hynde and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne circulated Standing in the Doorway as nine revelatory installments of a Dylan Lockdown Series, and for her, too, the adventure originated in Rough and Rowdy Ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In total, 137 of the more than 1,000 reports of abuse originated from facilities in Georgia, the fourth most behind Texas (179), Florida (168) and California (146).—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, established in 1987, lists worldwide suicide bereavement support groups as a public service to loss survivors.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But the center re-established his dominance against the smaller Warriors on Monday, finishing with 15 points and 17 rebounds while serving as a significant deterrent on the defensive interior.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans have also launched a congressional investigation into the fire response.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Following the tragic incident, a family friend, Ella Mackrell, launched a GoFundMe to help bring the teen’s body home, as well as cover expenses related to travel, lodging and the funeral.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Last month, prosecutors dropped assault charges against Marimar Martinez after questions arose about the official version of an agent who shot her in traffic in Brighton Park, purportedly in self-defense, then bragged later about his marksmanship in text messages with his buddies.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Then hydrogen leaks arose during the third rehearsal, which led to NASA not only changing the way in which liquid hydrogen is loaded, but also modifying the ground umbilical plates that send power, coolant, fuel and communications to the rocket, according to Blackwell-Thompson.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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