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
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 begin
At least half a dozen members of Congress are at risk of losing their seats in Tuesday’s primaries, as the midterm campaign begins with a frenzied gut check on voter anger.
—
David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
However, a curious counter-trend—one that began in New York and is now being cemented by the opening day of Paris Fashion Week—is simultaneously occurring.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
In many respects, the war with Iran poses greater risks to the oil market than Russia’s war with Ukraine when that conflict began in 2022.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Officials said the attack will not alter current security plans for South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals, which are scheduled to begin later this month.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
However, a curious counter-trend—one that began in New York and is now being cemented by the opening day of Paris Fashion Week—is simultaneously occurring.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
In many respects, the war with Iran poses greater risks to the oil market than Russia’s war with Ukraine when that conflict began in 2022.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Officials said the attack will not alter current security plans for South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals, which are scheduled to begin later this month.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Emails alleging violations started arriving to City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos before the semifinals.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, suggested the possible advantage was only worth a few horsepower — not the few tenths of a second some rivals had feared — and that other teams were potentially looking for excuses before the season had even started.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In September 2023, rain followed by Tropical Storm Hilary established conditions for breeding and the subsequent insect activity in a time when the mosquitoes typically begin to hibernate.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The founding generation of screen actors, who fought hard and risked much to establish a labor union for the profession, would still likely balk at the deletion of the name.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
But Adebayo and Ware again opened Thursday’s game in separate units.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Anthropic was founded in 2021 by a group of former OpenAI staff and researchers, including Dario Amodei, who left the company after disagreements over its direction.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities’ security concerns surrounding the burial location are well founded.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
