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
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Recent Examples of beginning
Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Neptune has only recently entered Aries, marking the beginning of a brand-new chapter in the collective story, especially after spending years in the dreamy waters of Pisces.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 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
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
First, the Kamin Science Center will be on partial operation beginning on Monday when the roads close.
—Jessica Riley, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
Mitchell says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has been passionate about the project since the very beginning.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Neptune has only recently entered Aries, marking the beginning of a brand-new chapter in the collective story, especially after spending years in the dreamy waters of Pisces.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 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
Registered fans will also get a chance to buy tickets to the Paralympic Games through the Paralympic Ticket Draw, beginning in 2027.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
First, the Kamin Science Center will be on partial operation beginning on Monday when the roads close.
—Jessica Riley, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
As a rookie in 2025, Sanoja made 26 starts at third base, 20 starts at second base, 16 in left field, 10 in center field and nine at shortstop.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Aledo got off to a fast start with six runs in the first inning, and after a two-run second inning, ended the game early with seven runs in the third.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Joint Budget Committee’s half-dozen members finished their extensive preparatory work on the annual spending plan last week.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But diplomatic protocol ahead of a presidential visit to China usually sees either the US secretary of state or the national security advisor make a preparatory trip too, and that did not happen.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The school announced Malone’s hiring on Tuesday and scheduled an introductory news conference for later in the day.—
Aaron Beard,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The school announced Malone's hiring on Tuesday and scheduled an introductory news conference for later in the day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The accord further prohibited the developers from beginning construction on the new residences before commencing work on these improvements.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The Eastern Bloc was starting to unravel, and Fidesz, the political outfit that Orbán co-founded the year before, had been conceived as an engine of liberal reform.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That may mean starting a new project or ending one that’s gone on too long.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Poetics can become the foundation for dehumanization, as was the case with the settler colonial founding documents of the United States, which constituted people like me, Trethewey, and Felix as three-fifths of a human being.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Weil’s wife, Vivian, a philosophy professor, was the founding director of the Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at the Illinois Institute of Technology.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least, Fowler, who’s covered every season since the franchise’s inception, thinks so.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Court records show she was arrested Tuesday and was ordered to be temporarily detained in jail ahead of a preliminary hearing on April 13.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israel’s surprise barrage of airstrikes on Wednesday killed 303 people and wounded about 1,150 others, in a preliminary toll.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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