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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inaugurate During the first quarter of this year, when Trump was inaugurated, records show that Ballard began lobbying the Commerce Department, which shapes trade policy, on tariffs. Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025 Trump also launched a meme coin just days before being inaugurated in January. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 Later this year, the company will inaugurate L’Isle-d’Espagnac, a leather goods workshop in Charente, while Loupes in Gironde, and Charleville-Mézières in Ardennes, will open in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 As soon as Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials began turning away migrants at the Mexico border, canceling their appointments. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inaugurate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugurate
Verb
  • Reuters was not immediately able to establish his identity.
    USA Today, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The underpinnings of a global order can be traced to the age of discovery, when Europeans first learned to circumnavigate the globe, then established a presence at vast distances, and followed that with empires.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Tracks from any of the approximately 400 legends will be eligible, including judge Lionel Richie, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Tight end Antonio Gates, a former Charger, will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 2, alongside cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • China is currently still saddled with a 145% import tariff, and the others were slated for tariffs ranging from 26% to 49% before Trump's 90-day pause initiated on April 9.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Separately, the Department of Education is initiating a rulemaking process this week that may further alter or curtail access to those programs.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The no-reboot security fixes would download and install in the background, deployed within the in-memory code of already running processes.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • To quickly install that many charging stations is unrealistic and costly for Maryland taxpayers who would be forced to foot the bill.
    Albert R. Wynn, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trader Joe's and its popular mini tote bags In April, Trader Joe's launched its mini canvas tote bags just in time for Easter.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Their off-Earth chase was brief: Shenzhou 20 launched atop a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China today at 5:17 a.m. EDT (0917 GMT; 5:17 p.m. Beijing time).
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To that end, the show creators introduced Catherine O’Hara as Joel’s therapist Gail in the first episode of Season 2.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • In the finale, a knock at the door introduces us to a stranger played by Niko Nicotera, who claims to be Alfie's father.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, the large cloud service providers today have pioneered many of their AI capabilities through their cloud suites, meaning that this is the easiest way customers can access and take advantage of these tools.
    Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.D., Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The White Lotus season 3 star recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming TV project, which reboots the book series' story with a new cast after he and lead actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson pioneered the novels' first adaptation on the big screen across eight films.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugurate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inaugurate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!