initiative

noun

i-ˈni-shə-tiv How to pronounce initiative (audio)
Definition of initiativenext
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the sentry showed remarkable initiative and uncommon bravery in foiling the terrorist attack

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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 initiative This holistic logic must extend beyond geopolitical matters to encompass new defense industry initiatives, energy security, and supply-chain redesign. — Galip Dalay, Time, 7 July 2026 Compliance initiatives often get judged on whether a project was completed on time or whether a new system was implemented successfully. — Ryan Padget, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Brown and Williams also lead Friday Night Lights, a weekly initiative that provides meals, a safe space, and programs for youth. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Most of the proposals in the Time is Money initiative never ended up taking effect. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for initiative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiative
  1. ambition
  2. action
  3. enterprise
Noun
  • Ibiza’s Sublimotion has similar haute ambitions, pairing 12 diners together in a room that will come alive with otherworldly projections and performers.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Ask Johnny What’s important here is not choosing between loyalty and ambition.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of ambition
Noun
  • This week, Steve Hilton, the GOP candidate for California governor, wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging him to rescind the agency’s recent action allowing AT&T to end its copper landline service.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • As climate action group Floodlight found in a recent investigation spotted by Wired, Texas has become the epicenter of the United States’ current obsession with constructing AI data centers.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026
Definition of action
Noun
  • Many of these skills take years to develop, so apprenticeships will be key to the long-term sustainability of the enterprise.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
  • What the Council's change adds is not access to green finance but permission to badge the whole enterprise, oil growth included, as transition.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of enterprise

Phrases Containing initiative

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initiative
initiator
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Cite this Entry

“Initiative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiative. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on initiative

Nglish: Translation of initiative for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about initiative

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