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
In recent stories and this new novel, Saunders’s fiction has begun to feel both darker and a bit frustrated, spiritually and artistically.
—
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Dak already has shot past the championship game deadline in that no other quarterback has ever begun his career with a team and played 10 seasons without reaching the NFC or AFC title game, then reached a Super Bowl with that team later in his career.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
However, the orders seen by NPR suggest the department had already begun removing the ALARA requirement from the new rules as early as August, months before the secretary's approval was given.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Now, as rents rise, physical retail loses its shine and being digitally native becomes more important, Allbirds and other DTC companies have begun to shift their focus.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
The chemistry that built life on Earth may have begun in deep space, according to a new study.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The levada system, begun in the 15th century to move water from the cooler, wetter north to the drier south, still cuts across the landscape, with many maintenance paths converted to trails.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Apple has begun to set up shop at its emerging tech campus in North San Jose, an expansion that is poised to bring hundreds of workers to the city.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Gables has already begun discussions with neighboring cities, including the City of Miami, South Miami and Pinecrest about turning their own green waste into biochar.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Dak already has shot past the championship game deadline in that no other quarterback has ever begun his career with a team and played 10 seasons without reaching the NFC or AFC title game, then reached a Super Bowl with that team later in his career.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
However, the orders seen by NPR suggest the department had already begun removing the ALARA requirement from the new rules as early as August, months before the secretary's approval was given.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
Now, as rents rise, physical retail loses its shine and being digitally native becomes more important, Allbirds and other DTC companies have begun to shift their focus.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
The chemistry that built life on Earth may have begun in deep space, according to a new study.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The levada system, begun in the 15th century to move water from the cooler, wetter north to the drier south, still cuts across the landscape, with many maintenance paths converted to trails.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Apple has begun to set up shop at its emerging tech campus in North San Jose, an expansion that is poised to bring hundreds of workers to the city.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Gables has already begun discussions with neighboring cities, including the City of Miami, South Miami and Pinecrest about turning their own green waste into biochar.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for begun
Verb
-
That all changed Wednesday evening, when the Metro Mesa League opener commenced between the two schools at Olympian.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
On Monday, Robbie revealed her natural curls as the Wuthering Heights press tour commenced.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins started the month of February with a goalie fight during their Stadium Series matchup at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Strong got the run started with a three-point play and the Huskies sliced through Tennessee's pressure defense for layups.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brunch also shone a spotlight on the fellows of the ReFrame Rise program, a fellowship co-founded by WIF and Sundance Institute that supports 10 mid-career directors and cinematographers, all of whom were present at the event.—
Dominique Fluker,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hynde and Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne circulated Standing in the Doorway as nine revelatory installments of a Dylan Lockdown Series, and for her, too, the adventure originated in Rough and Rowdy Ways.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In total, 137 of the more than 1,000 reports of abuse originated from facilities in Georgia, the fourth most behind Texas (179), Florida (168) and California (146).—
Lautaro Grinspan,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ten New Yorkers have already died on the streets amid record-breaking cold, and the encampment sweeps initiated by Mayor Adams could well prove a critical tool in averting any more needless fatalities.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The agency said medical staff responded and initiated lifesaving measures and requested emergency medical services.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The report says that the problem has arisen because of the proliferation of digital alarms, especially those designed to detect emissions to comply with Net Zero goals, and autonomous systems.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Questions have also arisen over the reliability of witness evidence, said The Times.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And, as bad as all that looting was, the wealth that remained in Congo constituted only a small percentage of what was being made on markets globally, and from the technology those minerals powered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
My fellow Republicans have been holding firm in labeling Renee Good a domestic extremist, asserting that her actions constituted a violent threat motivated by ideological aims.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some who’d been leaders under previous coaches did not work for Payton, like guard Dalton Risner and safety Justin Simmons.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Begun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/begun. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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