1
as in to commence
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 to start
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to establish
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 begin
To balance the budget last year, Newsom and the Legislature halted Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented immigrants beginning in January, and imposed a $30 premium on those already enrolled, beginning in July 2027.
—
Andrew Graham
march 9, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Events leading up to the Los Angeles Football Club’s participation during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup began with a protest by the winningest team in Costa Rican soccer, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Any underwater aficionado will tell you that great snorkeling and diving begins with calm seas and thriving coral reefs.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The new supreme leader had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war began.
—Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
Andrew Graham
march 9, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Events leading up to the Los Angeles Football Club’s participation during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup began with a protest by the winningest team in Costa Rican soccer, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Any underwater aficionado will tell you that great snorkeling and diving begins with calm seas and thriving coral reefs.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
The new supreme leader had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war began.
—Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
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On March 8, most of North America and Europe, along with some Caribbean and Central American Countries, will move their clocks one hour forward and commence Daylight Saving Time (DST).—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
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The team’s 2026 model car wasn’t in its wind tunnel until mid-April last year, when other teams had commenced such testing in January 2025.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sign up here to receive an email right as the chat is about to start.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Peas, spinach, arugula, carrots, beets, kale, radishes, lettuce, and potatoes can be grown now and are easy to start from seed directly sown into the soil.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In San Antonio, Kornet quickly established himself again as one of the funniest guys in the locker room, as well as a valuable teammate on the court.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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The six vacant buildings, which the county is leasing to establish the Los Angeles County Care Community, have been vacant since the early 2000s.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Next month the agency will open a community engagement center, where residents can drop by during office hours to ask questions and get information.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
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But Adebayo and Ware again opened Thursday’s game in separate units.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Atlanta City Council and Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration both agree that an investigation is warranted into a questionable contract with the former city clerk that originated during the height of debate over Atlanta’s public safety training facility.—
Riley Bunch,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Phillipa Soo, the Broadway star best known for originating the role of Eliza in Hamilton, had an excellent run this past decade.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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The finding came as part of divorce proceedings initiated by Diagne’s ex-wife, Aissatou Savare, in March 2022.—
Kiah Collier,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When disagreements arise, acknowledge everyone’s different points of view before jumping to defend your ideas.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
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If the cosmic inflation that occurred prior to the Big Bang arose because certain high-energy conditions were met, then recreating those conditions and those sufficiently high energies could cause a restoration of the inflationary state.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Beyond, founded in 2009 and known primarily for its pea-protein burger patties and steaks, has had some turbulent times recently.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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The 53-year-old Japanese designer, who founded cult label Number (N)ine in 1997, is relaunching the brand 15 years after stepping away from it.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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