1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
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 begun
However, the first unmasking came before the episode had even begun.
—
Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Some analysts reported that Tehran has begun preparing an armed response from the IRGC and even some of its proxy militias in Iraq.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Discussions have begun with potential replacement tenants at the Village, Crawford said.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
The only logical conclusion is that thousands of individuals who were caught up in the street life have begun to change their behavior for the better — and that clearly points to CVI.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Few people are venturing from their homes, although businesses have begun to reopen and the long lines that had snaked outside the few pharmacies and supermarkets that were operational over the weekend are disappearing.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Wednesday’s defeat means that Spurs have begun 2026 without a win, having drawn their two previous games this year against Brentford and Sunderland.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
When Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938, many states had already begun observing it.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2025
Communities across the country are facing similar issues and several charities have begun providing assistance to those in need.
—CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Some analysts reported that Tehran has begun preparing an armed response from the IRGC and even some of its proxy militias in Iraq.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Discussions have begun with potential replacement tenants at the Village, Crawford said.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
The only logical conclusion is that thousands of individuals who were caught up in the street life have begun to change their behavior for the better — and that clearly points to CVI.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Few people are venturing from their homes, although businesses have begun to reopen and the long lines that had snaked outside the few pharmacies and supermarkets that were operational over the weekend are disappearing.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Wednesday’s defeat means that Spurs have begun 2026 without a win, having drawn their two previous games this year against Brentford and Sunderland.
—Sam Joseph, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
When Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938, many states had already begun observing it.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2025
Communities across the country are facing similar issues and several charities have begun providing assistance to those in need.
—CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begun
Verb
-
Officials then searched the children’s home and commenced an air and ground search.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In 2012, whiskey production commenced at the distillery, with bottles hitting the market a few years later.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, former Federal Air Marshal Peter Johnson — who founded Archway Defense, which has trained state, local and federal law enforcement in firearms for the past decade — told WCCO the street is not the place to challenge a federal agent's orders.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Brooklyn is also one of several franchises that have centralized video storage, search and distribution workflows through ScorePlay, a startup founded in France, headquartered in New York and growing in the NBA.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The project originated from a news story and took shape during a residency at the Museum of Imagined Futures.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
-
One of the theories of how this holiday originated connects it to European farmers in the 18th Century.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The trooper initiated a traffic stop to investigate, and the driver, identified as Ezeiruaku, was arrested.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In accordance with its responsibilities, the supervisory board, with the support of specialized external lawyers, immediately initiated an investigation into the incidents upon becoming aware of the allegations.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, controversies have arisen over several judicial decisions.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The dispute highlights conflicts that have arisen as climate change has driven increasingly large and frequent wildfires in California while the number of homes in and beside forests and other fire-risk areas has skyrocketed.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That constituted a third of the district’s irrigable farmland.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Jan. 2026
-
In remarks published online, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry criticized the United States and suggested the attack constituted a violation of international law.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In Australia, the debate has been more fraught than almost anywhere else, and so the government’s announcement caught out even those who’ve been at the negotiating table.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sharpe also been an organizer of Bockfest and was the development director of former local radio station WNKU.—
Erin Glynn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Begun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begun. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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