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

Spanberger, who was inaugurated in January after serving three terms in the House of Representatives, will discuss lowering the persistently high costs of housing, health care, energy and groceries despite the administration's insistence that some of these costs have come down. —Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026

Starting with former President Ronald Reagan, several recent presidents have delivered speeches in the months after being inaugurated that serve the same purpose as the State of the Union, even without formally being one, according to the American Presidency Project. —Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 24 Feb. 2026

The transition committees were a continuation of Laesch’s transition team, which was active for roughly one month between when he was elected and when he was inaugurated. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Deleon was one of the people who inaugurated the Camino de San Francisco. —Max Darrow, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026