Synonyms of inaugurate

inaugurate

verb

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt 

1

as in to establish

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

• establish
• initiate
• launch
• introduce
• pioneer
• create
• found
• institute
• begin
• constitute
• construct
• start
• organize
• plant
• originate
• invent
• innovate
• develop
• devise
• set up
• produce
• author
• manufacture
• conceive
• expand
• endow
• fund
• concoct
• make up
• arrange
• enlarge
• finance
• contrive
• think (up)
• subsidize
• fabricate
• cook (up)
• father
• systematize
• reinstitute
• relaunch
• systemize
• reinitiate
• put up
• refound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close (down)
• shut (up)
• abolish
• annul
• stop
• nullify
• end
• terminate
• finish
• halt
• phase out
• annihilate
• round (off or out)
• wind up
• wrap up

2

as in to induct

to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies

the president inaugurated the newest member of the club with a welcoming speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

• induct
• install
• initiate
• seat
• baptize
• receive
• invest
• instate
• consecrate
• enlist
• accept
• enroll
• enshrine
• admit
• swear in
• take in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• can
• terminate
• discharge
• fire
• muster out

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inaugurate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin, commence, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for inaugurate?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

How is commence related to other words for inaugurate?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When is it sensible to use initiate instead of inaugurate?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to inaugurate?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inaugurate

The decision to inaugurate the first urban Six Senses property in Rome was partially driven by the owner’s love of all things Italian and is part of a new drive to bring sanctuaries to bigger cities. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Now, almost two decades later, King Charles has finally inaugurated the footpath – 80% of which is open to the public, with the remainder set to be completed by the end of the year. —Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026

New Delhi — One of India’s most ambitious aviation projects, touted to be among the largest in South Asia, has been inaugurated more than four years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially kicked off the project. —Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026

Virunga National Park is the oldest nature reserve in Africa, inaugurated in 1925, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. —CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026