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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 Goldman initiated coverage of Oklo on Wednesday with a neutral rating, warning investors that its valuation appears full and its business strategy needs de-risking. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025 Discussing bullying with them, separate from their own experiences, can be a great way to initiate the conversation. Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 The recall was initiated after the company conducted testing, which revealed the presence of listeria in the finished products and on the surfaces of cutting equipment. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 Swatting is a type of harassment that involves making a fake emergency call to initiate a law enforcement response at a certain location. Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for initiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate
Verb
  • The grand prize winner’s selection as the closing film marked another break from tradition, with the competition photocall ceremonies at Busan Cinema Center attracting substantial audiences and establishing the new format as a tentpole event.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
  • In any event, this is an opportunity to establish more structure in your life and consider what truly supports you.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yeah Yeahs as they were introduced, setting up a campy whodunit with a 1980s look.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The change seems to set back even further Stockdale’s original vision to introduce new jobs, boost attractions and break open a fortress-like property that has divided downtown communities.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That May, days after Vladimir Putin was inaugurated to his first term as Russia’s President, a high-ranking Kremlin official conveyed a list of demands to NTV.
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Only a few kilometers away, a new mega port — a joint project with China — has just been inaugurated.
    Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The next play after Nacua’s touchdown, Stafford launched the ball to a wide-open Atwell.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The Africa Center for Hospitality, Aviation, and Tourism has partnered with GUBA Enterprises, Access Media, and KAYA to launch Africa Week UK, a new three-day event that will celebrate African culture, creativity, and commerce.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Neither has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame despite decades of eligibility and a cosmic consensus of their greatness.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In 2021, she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, joining her father, Muhammad Ali, as part of the sport’s most prestigious lineage.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the inning unraveled just long enough for the Red Sox to create a brand-new ballgame.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • According to residents who live in the Indian Hills neighborhood, multiple internet companies had been working to install fiber in Lexington.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The films’ special effects are handled by Weta Workshop and showcase pioneering filmmaking technology in motion capture and CGI.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Congrats to those Chinese with thin skins for pioneering this new mode of film import.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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