as in start
the point at which something begins
the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introductory
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commencing
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founding
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beginning
Anna Chan, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026
The beginning of a race against time.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Wendy Killeen, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s slow progression of losing your perspective and beginning to see lies in yourself through a really distorted lens.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
His character passed away at the beginning of season nine in 2012, wrapping up the previous season’s cliffhanger in which a plane carrying the staff of the Seattle hospital crashed, killing Sloan’s beloved Lexie and leaving the plastic surgeon with injuries that proved to be fatal.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026
The beginning of a race against time.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
A lot of the dialogue existed and the crew had the beginning demos of the songs to work with.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Several efforts throughout the tower’s history have instead made the lean worse, but beginning in 1999, the slow removal of soil under the north side of its base reduced the lean.
—Wendy Killeen, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
There’s slow progression of losing your perspective and beginning to see lies in yourself through a really distorted lens.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Rosenior has made an encouraging start, going unbeaten in his first six Premier League matches.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Cubs didn’t want to alter his usual approach, which meant his first Cactus League start came a week into their spring exhibition schedule.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The push for college-for-all that gained momentum through the 1990s and 2000s reframed high school as a four-year college preparatory exercise.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
After studying his own practice, Licklider determined that as much as 85% of his intellectual work — such as searching for data, running calculations, testing conclusions, and synthesizing information — was fundamentally preparatory for deeper, more creative efforts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The book, which is now required for introductory sociology courses at Florida State University, was edited down from 669 pages to 267.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Willie made it through the filming of the first episode, but as the second episode was commencing, word got to me that Willie had returned to Los Angeles and the end was near.—
Annabelle Gurwitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
-
According to China General Nuclear (CGN), on 21st February, the reactor pressure vessel for unit 6 began hoisting operations, officially commencing the installation of the unit’s main nuclear island equipment.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The process would likely take about six months, starting with the inauguration of California’s next governor in early January 2027.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
On an after-market analyst call, Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch announced the company would no longer disclose subscriber numbers starting with its upcoming March 2026 quarter.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The management team led by founding CEO Occhipinti, who retains a 49% stake, will remain in place to ensure continuity, and help field strategic partnerships and European synergies.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans have largely used the Bears’ consideration of an incentive package to move the founding NFL franchise to Hammond as a way to try to mock Pritzker’s policies for losing business to other states.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to Powerball, the jackpot has been hit almost 200 times since the lottery's inception in 1992.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The foam slip-on, with its Swiss cheese-like cutouts and memeable sport mode strap, has been the Crocs flagship model since the brand’s inception in 2002 and makes up the biggest portion of its sales.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
According to preliminary information, Shah Alam did not have shoes on, just orange booties from the detention center, when he was dropped off by agents, Ryan said.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Property owner Carol Lazier submitted a preliminary development application for Seaside Ridge, which includes 42 lower-income units and 43 moderate-income units, in October 2022.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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