initiating

Definition of initiatingnext
present participle of initiate
1
2
3
as in inaugurating
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 initiating At the bottom of the screen are buttons for recording video, taking a snapshot, initiating two-way talk, playing a pre-recorded quick response voice message, and muting the sound. John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026 Due to his size, opponents often attempt to crowd and screen him, initiating contact before the ball is struck. Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 President Kennedy also encouraged a strong business-government partnership, beyond commercial contracts for government programs, by initiating COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation) as privately chartered. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Breaking distance records Artemis II launched on April 1 atop NASA’s Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center, initiating a 10-day mission designed to validate Orion’s systems with crew onboard. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026 King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal title in October, initiating a formal process to remove the former Prince Andrew's title and honors. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026 Leo, who studied canon law, has spent much of his first eleven months in office assessing the Vatican internally, like a new chief executive getting to know a firm’s culture before initiating strategies for optimal performance. Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact. David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026 What To Know Nearly three‑quarters of Jewish voters said Trump should have sought congressional authorization before initiating military action, including a sizable share of respondents who otherwise support the war, according to JEI. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiating
Verb
  • Disaster relief protections include a waiver of a one-time activation fee for establishing remote call forwarding.
    Cox Communications, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Among those measures was a proposal requiring any ballot measure establishing a fee to undergo a thorough analysis and calculation as to the fee amount before it is presented to voters.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • People are urged to keep windows and doors closed, run air conditioners and air purifiers, and avoid introducing further air pollution with grilling or fireplaces.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • But the hope is that the industry will recognize the financial incentive of introducing diverse perspectives.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This program collects two mid-length documentaries by Raymond Depardon from the mid-1970s, inaugurating a career-spanning interest in former French colonial Africa.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
  • ChatGPT passed that benchmark earlier this year, inaugurating a new technological era, though not necessarily one of superhuman intelligence.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Fatih has worked to keep countries aligned even as the world fragments, ensuring the IEA remains true to its founding mission of energy security and cooperation.
    Jason Bordoff, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The amfAR gala in Cannes dates back to 1993, when Elizabeth Taylor, who was founding international chairman, hosted it at the luxe hideaway Moulin de Mougins.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Phillies are inducting Chase Utley, considered the greatest second baseman in the franchise’s history, into their Wall of Fame this summer — a potential precursor to a greater honor for Utley, the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Prince did the honors of inducting them.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • SacRT says the idea could boost ridership and help meet regional goals to reduce driving by creating more housing near public transit.
    James Taylor, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • And then the spirit, again, creating that belief.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Peter Kroehler learned the ins-and-outs of the furniture business through Long’s workshop, eventually launching his own company.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Gernand’s expertise includes launching new market entry models, structuring strategic partnerships and optimizing real estate portfolios.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The pioneering alt-country band returns with its first album in 30 years—a set of cryptic, languid dirges that feels defiantly out-of-time.
    Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
  • There are many things that Oreo does really well, like their pioneering namesake sandwich cookie.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Initiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiating. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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