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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 beginning
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
From the beginning, the sound team wanted their work to express character just as the music did.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Next week, Grizzly Bear headline the first show in a five-night run at New York’s Brooklyn Steel, the beginning leg of their first tour in six years.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Oct. 2025
ABC News, 12 June 2026
Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
The track stands out as the bestseller at the beginning of this new tracking week.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
From the beginning, the sound team wanted their work to express character just as the music did.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Adjective
Goforth is hoping to be open by the spring of 2026, with remodeling plans for the tasting room in the very beginning stages.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Next week, Grizzly Bear headline the first show in a five-night run at New York’s Brooklyn Steel, the beginning leg of their first tour in six years.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Aces led 85-74 after beginning the fourth on a 7-2 run.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Korda’s final putt of the day curled in the right side of the cup to solidify her second consecutive round of 67 at Riviera after beginning the championship with a frustrating 2-over 73.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
The World Cup is off to a record-breaking start for both Fox Sports and Telemundo.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
14 June 2026
-
Added to that underwhelming start were nine turnovers, all of which contributed to a middling offensive performance that helped San Antonio build its sizable lead.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
This includes increasing college preparatory course availability at high schools, making financial aid systems easier to navigate, and recruiting and retaining Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty members.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
-
When interview invitations arrive, candidates have already done the reflective and preparatory work that helps make those conversations productive instead of reactive.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
For someone testing the category, the cheapest move is usually a promotional bundle or a single introductory drip.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Less than $60 will get you a perfectly good introductory toaster oven, while spending up to $100 will add many of the bonus features that could be important to you.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The genial ginger singer-songwriter returned to North America June 13 with a run commencing at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Alchemist Kitchen spins food business gold Several of the businesses identified are graduates of the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA), a 12-week business training course that teaches the basics of starting a food business.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
-
Ohtani was one of two members of the Dodgers starting rotation who left the game injured.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
It was initially called the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, named for founding donor Bessie Vance Brooks.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
-
Eight months later, Malcolm X was fatally shot inside New York’s Audubon Ballroom, the same location of the OAAU’s founding meeting.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) roster features some of the top-tier professional wrestlers in the industry with company putting on innovative matches since its inception.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
But from its inception, the country has been aggressive and expansionist, seizing land from its Indigenous population, paying off some European powers while menacing others.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The National Weather Service said tornadoes had been confirmed in mostly rural areas southwest of Chicago, with some preliminary reports of buildings damaged in Streator, a manufacturing and farm city about 100 miles away.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
This was a preliminary, phase one clinical trial, so there was still a long way to go to confirm that this approach really could achieve what its inventors hoped—stopping an invader dead in its tracks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
