1
as in establishes
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
no one knows who initiated written language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introduces
to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to
initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in inaugurates
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
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 initiates
Stifel initiates Cardinal Infrastructure Group as buy Stifel said shares of the civil construction company are best positioned.
—
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
From there, Aescape initiates a personalized massage using the body scan.
—Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Dec. 2025
Family hierarchy and dependency are also factors that can influence who initiates, who leads and who follows, according to Densley.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
The office typically initiates communication by letter, Settle said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Incidents when a person intentionally or unintentionally initiates contact, including spearfishing and releasing sharks from nets or hooks, are not included in the report.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
From there, Aescape initiates a personalized massage using the body scan.
—Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Dec. 2025
Family hierarchy and dependency are also factors that can influence who initiates, who leads and who follows, according to Densley.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
The office typically initiates communication by letter, Settle said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Incidents when a person intentionally or unintentionally initiates contact, including spearfishing and releasing sharks from nets or hooks, are not included in the report.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiates
Verb
-
This opening scene establishes a human, forgiving tone for a movie in which we are often encouraged to laugh with our heroes but never at them.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
First, a catalyst guides the molecule through an asymmetric step that establishes its chirality.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The project introduces new exhibit spaces, a live performance venue for up to 1,000 people, and indoor-outdoor community spaces that connect to Lake Erie, plus an ADA-accessible park.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Furthermore, beyond its powertrain options, the SUV introduces a major technological leap for the brand.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In theory, this transition inaugurates a chapter of enfranchisement, but in the next scene the Senegalese businessmen are in suits, and the white men return with briefcases full of money as bribes.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
IndieWire,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But the gun has more limited ammunition compared to semi-automatic pistols that can carry 10 to 17 founds or more.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Painted Turtle, which provides a summer camp experience for kids with serious medical issues, and the Bridge School, which educates children with severe speech and physical disabilities.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The contract establishes minimum wage rates for daily and weekly work and inducts intimacy coordinators into the union health and pension plans.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The research team highlighted that this process creates ideal conditions for atmospheric water vapour to condense into droplets on the cooler surface, the way steam condenses on your bathroom mirror.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Frank creates this Charles Atlas golden god specifically to adore and satisfy him.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Using prompt engineering, attackers get ChatGPT to generate a step-by-step cleanup or installation guide that actually installs malware.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
-
If the neighborhood clears all those hurdles, the city installs the bumps.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Initiates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiates. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share