1
2
3
as in to inaugurate
to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of initiate are begin, commence, inaugurate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

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

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 initiate?

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

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When would inaugurate be a good substitute for initiate?

The meanings of inaugurate and initiate largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to initiate?

While the synonyms start and initiate are close in meaning, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of initiate?

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 initiate The state and local governments could not initiate the legal action. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025 The Department of Health has not yet initiated the rule change, which is a process that can take around two to three months. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 Wells Fargo initiates Archrock at overweight Wells said the gas supply company is well positioned. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025 The video then skips ahead to a bruised Bond racing toward a car to chase the bellhop, initiating the first look at vehicular action gameplay. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for initiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate
Verb
  • The roots of my family tree are firmly established in the soil of Great Britain.
    Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Period-appropriate musical elements will help establish the nostalgic atmosphere.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Russia's federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, also introduced temporary flight restrictions at the airport in the early hours of Tuesday.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Getty Images In the 1983 movie WarGames, which starred Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy, much of the American public was introduced to the various levels of Defcon.
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ethiopia will tomorrow inaugurate Africa’s largest dam, a major source of electricity and national pride for the country, but which threatens to fray ties with nations downstream.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Apple’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook then inaugurated the first two stores in India, respectively located in the financial hub of Mumbai and capital New Delhi, in 2023.
    Fortune, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The new 12-night journey will launch in the summer of 2027 aboard the company's ice-breaking Le Commandant Charcot ship and is purposely designed to meet demand for a shorter cruise that still celebrates polar exploration, Ponant shared with Travel + Leisure.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The product launches demonstrate how Europe’s legacy manufacturers are taking the fight to their Chinese rivals, in a bid to both retain market share in the European Union and offset declining sales in China, the world’s largest car market.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Martin, now 57, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And in October, the former offensive lineman will be inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honor with teammate Lemar Parrish.
    Beryl Love, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When interviewed by officers, Burns admitted to creating multiple social media accounts to distribute and receive child pornography, including files of prepubescent children, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
  • 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, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In early 2023, the governor replaced much of the school’s board of trustees with political allies and helped install Corcoran, a former House speaker and education commissioner, as president.
    Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hence, clubs are turning to the player-trading model long pioneered, and more recently supercharged, by Chelsea.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • When tragedy strikes close to home, Six and Green are left with not only the tremendous pressure of their pioneering careers and the game itself, but also with the weight and contradiction of what is expected of them.
    Eliana Ramage September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on initiate

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!