Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

inception

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of inception

the point at which something begins
  • This seemed like a good program at its inception, but it isn't working out as planned.
Synonyms of inception

alpha, baseline, beginning, birth, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold
Words Related to inception

drawing board, first base, ground zero, square one

creation, founding, inauguration, initiation, institution, origination

cradle, fountain, fountainhead, germ, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring

dawning, opening

advent, appearance, arrival, debut (also début), emergence

childhood, infancy, youth
Near Antonyms of inception

cessation, closing, closure, completion, finale, finish, period, stop, termination, windup
Antonyms of inception

close, conclusion, end, ending, omega

Synonym Discussion of inception

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence. origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.
    • an investigation into the origin of baseball
source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.
    • the source of the Nile
    • the source of recurrent trouble
inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.
    • the business has been a success since its inception
root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.
    • the real root of the violence

Learn More about inception

  1. See words that rhyme with inception Dictionary: Definition of inception Spanish Central: Translation of inception Nglish: Translation of inception for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inception for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inception? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games