Definition of initiatenext
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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 Exacerbating the situation was a decision by the central bank to end a program allowing some importers to access cheaper US dollars compared to the rest of the market – which led shopkeepers to increase prices and some to shutter their doors, initiating the demonstrations. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 Telsey initiates Cava at outperform Telsey says the stock is a growth story. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026 Others might be surprised at your sudden enthusiasm to initiate something new. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026 In 2024, after the arbitration was initiated, CAA sued Range, accusing it of illegally operating as a rival agency, stealing trade secrets and soliciting clients. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for initiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate
Verb
  • The film is set in 1935 Tartu and at the University of Tartu, where, a year earlier, Professor Lazar Gulkowitsch, exiled from Germany, had established a chair of Judaic Studies within the Faculty of Philosophy.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
  • While proponents of wearable technology in prisons and jails have described it as potentially lifesaving, privacy rights groups and even law enforcement officials say the devices can raise ethical and legal concerns and urge agencies to establish strict rules on data use, retention and consent.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • At the end of Monday's live Atlas demonstration, the humanoid prototype swung its arms in a theatrical gesture to introduce a static model of the new product version of Atlas, which looked slightly different and was blue in color.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
  • On the day McDermott became coach of the Bills, his children Maddie and Gavin weren’t as tall as the podium at which their father was introduced.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Rodríguez was sworn in Monday as Venezuela’s interim president in the presence of her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, the Chavista leader of the National Assembly, as the legislature inaugurated a new session.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
  • In 2022, the airport inaugurated its brand-new Terminal 2, which more than doubled its annual passenger capacity.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the Protein Milk, a series of limited-edition merchandise drops and partnerships launched today.
    Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The project launches on Kickstarter on January 6 through a pre-order interest program.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • McBride was inducted into both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2017 and was a past president of the Nashville Songwriters Assn.
    Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
  • McBride was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame honored him the same year.
    Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Horned Frogs are far from an offensive juggernaut, but TCU has typically been able to create open looks off the pick-and-roll with Harding or by feeding Punch in the post.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Teachers' associations from Natomas, Rocklin, Twin Rivers, West Sacramento and Woodland used art supplies on Saturday to create signs of solidarity.
    Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
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.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • This container home is easy to install and set up to enjoy your life inside it.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The round-table style of the gathering – pioneered during large-scale assemblies organized by Pope Francis – signals Leo’s plan to continue his predecessor’s approach of seeking a more welcoming church, with leaders listening closely to Catholics in the pews.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Benirschke has a long history with the zoo, where his late father was a visionary scientist credited with pioneering the creation of the Frozen Zoo, a cryogenic cell bank for endangered species.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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