Synonyms of initiative

initiative

noun

i-ˈni-shə-tiv 

as in ambition

readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

the sentry showed remarkable initiative and uncommon bravery in foiling the terrorist attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambition
• action
• enterprise
• drive
• spirit
• aggressiveness
• vigor
• hustle
• energy
• go
• gumption
• grit
• spunk
• assertiveness
• killer instinct
• starch
• pluck
• self-reliance
• vitality
• ambitiousness
• pep
• hardihood
• overambitiousness
• snap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• passivity
• reluctance
• inactivity
• hesitation
• timidity
• diffidence
• lethargy
• laziness
• indolence
• faintheartedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of initiative

The companies announced an industry-wide initiative on September 7 to develop the infrastructure needed for the transition. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

However, when initiatives reach production, challenges arise when leadership asks which business metrics have actually improved, and nobody can give a clear answer. — Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

This is the way Dine LA, a Los Angeles Tourism initiative, is supposed to work. — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

More than 30,000 expatriates had registered with Fly&Vote, an initiative helping Israelis arrange election travel, which has already secured seven dedicated flights to Israel. — Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing initiative

• on one's own initiative