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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of beginning
Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Janelle Monáe’s viral 2025 Met Gala look, created by Tazewell in collaboration with designer Thom Browne, anchors the space, but a photo of Tazewell as a junior in high school marks the true beginning of his Ozian trajectory.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 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
Josh Roberts, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
That means no teams from a very ballyhooed SEC made the final, despite beginning the year with 10 teams in the AP Top 25.
—American-Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
Because it's refrigerated, the dual-lane track doesn't need snow to operate, and is typically open from late November through the beginning of March.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Janelle Monáe’s viral 2025 Met Gala look, created by Tazewell in collaboration with designer Thom Browne, anchors the space, but a photo of Tazewell as a junior in high school marks the true beginning of his Ozian trajectory.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 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
The company is also debuting A&K × Crystal Cultural Voyages, integrating Abercrombie & Kent tours with Crystal Cruises’ luxury ships, beginning with a Mediterranean sailing in August 2026.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
That means no teams from a very ballyhooed SEC made the final, despite beginning the year with 10 teams in the AP Top 25.
—American-Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Ezeiruaku, 22, was a second-round draft pick out of Boston College in 2025 and appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, including nine starts.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Dallas' Jaden Hardy, making his second start of the season, scored 11 of his 14 points in the first five minutes, including three of his four 3-pointers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The team will first play a preparatory series in Sri Lanka which begins in two weeks’ time.—
Dominic Fifield,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
They were discovered during preparatory work for road construction.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
And many banks offer zero-percent APR cards, which typically provide cards with no interest for an introductory period of, say, 12 to 15 months.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Or head to the Bergman Bowl for introductory bowl skiing, which boasts one green run above the treeline (for more experienced beginners).—
Alison Fox,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
None of the arrests of the four individual plaintiffs in this case, on the other hand, were made in immediate anticipation of commencing removal proceedings, much less executing a final order of removal.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Here are the 100 best luggage deals to shop right now, starting at $10.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Keep scrolling for more worthwhile finds that are bound to win her seal of approval, starting at just $9.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to modeling and founding Spinside Records, an imprint on Browne's independent label Inside Recordings, Ethan also made it to the big screen.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
His supporters praised him for founding the activist group Turning Point USA and advocating conservative principles to young people.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
From its inception, Survivor was an instant smash, bringing in nearly 30 million viewers a week in its first few years (with more than 50 million tuning into the season-one finale) and winning the top Emmy for outstanding nonfiction program out of the gate.—
David Canfield,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Joseph took time during the bye week for preliminary interviews for head coaching jobs with the Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders, Giants and Titans.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The person cautioned the information was still preliminary, and the investigation was in its early stages.—
Steve Karnowski,
Twin Cities,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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