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Synonym Chooser

How is the word begin different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of begin are commence, inaugurate, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How is commence related to other words for begin?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace begin?

The words inaugurate and begin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When would initiate be a good substitute for begin?

While the synonyms initiate and begin are close in meaning, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to begin?

The synonyms start and begin are sometimes interchangeable, but start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of begin?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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 The guide is famous for its Michelin Star restaurant ratings, which began in Europe in 1926. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 12 Oct. 2025 Advertisement 160 scientists in 23 countries compiled the latest data and literature on the topic, and found that, in the years since launching the report in 2023, reefs around the world have begun passing their thermal tipping point. Simmone Shah, Time, 12 Oct. 2025 On Saturday, Roberts said Ohtani’s swing decision issues began with the matchups. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Every year in the early fall, along the riverbanks and ravines of the Southeast coast, pawpaws begin to show up in the understory. Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for begin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begin
Verb
  • Standing in for the franchise’s original hometown of Fernfield is Fort Langley, British Columbia, where production recently commenced.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
  • After 2029 the moon will pass south of the Pleiades until the next series commences in 2042.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2025
  • During his own speech, Sean asked Leaper to name KU’s backfield that started the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Protect the football, establish balance early, and reduce penalties.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Democrats in Congress are withholding their votes on a government spending bill to demand that Republicans extend these subsidies, which lower the cost of insurance for people who buy their own health care coverage in marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.
    Elena Shao, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Buds will fail to open properly, and some of the canes will have multitudes of thorns.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Photos of veterans and their biographies will be displayed at the center of the park and a color guard will open the event.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The fruit originated in temperate regions of the world like Europe and Asia, where wild species were cultivated thousands of years ago.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Crucially for The Traitors distributor All3Media International, the show, which was originated in the Netherlands and made there on a modest budget, registered significant moments on both sides of the pond.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nunez said the firefighters quickly initiated rescue operations and freed two of the occupants from the car.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • On Friday, reports emerged that the NFL has officially initiated a review into the application of the concussion protocol for Dart's injury, an investigation that will be conducted jointly by the NFL and the NFLPA, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And with those sightings arose… The Life of an AI Theory.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The same concern arises with jewelry, which is also a traditional way of holding gold.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • According to its website, the popular pizza chain, which was founded in 1971, operates 61 restaurants in Illinois, six in Indiana, two in Indiana and two in Wisconsin.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Unrivaled was co-founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
    William Earl, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begin. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on begin

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