as in founder
a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor
as the initiator of printing from movable type, Gutenberg revolutionized people's access to written language
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Recent Examples of initiator
Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.
—
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Wheeler was the initiator, Marcus Smith said Tuesday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
The term point forward gets thrown around a lot, but Thomas legitimately serves as Phoenix’s offensive initiator.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Among the customers of our online prenup platform, First, roughly 50% of our prenup initiators are women.
—Libby Leffler, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The president has previously incorrectly framed Ukraine as the initiator of the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Compared to summer 2024, when fashion was heavily influenced by pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Brat initiator Charli XCX, this summer almost breezed by without a dominant fashion core or aesthetic to chase.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent initiators on high potency Wegovy and Zepbound—who started treatment in 2024—appear to be staying on their medications longer.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Wheeler was the initiator, Marcus Smith said Tuesday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
The term point forward gets thrown around a lot, but Thomas legitimately serves as Phoenix’s offensive initiator.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Among the customers of our online prenup platform, First, roughly 50% of our prenup initiators are women.
—Libby Leffler, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
The president has previously incorrectly framed Ukraine as the initiator of the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2025
Compared to summer 2024, when fashion was heavily influenced by pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Brat initiator Charli XCX, this summer almost breezed by without a dominant fashion core or aesthetic to chase.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent initiators on high potency Wegovy and Zepbound—who started treatment in 2024—appear to be staying on their medications longer.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiator
Noun
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The manhunt for the person who killed Charlie Kirk, the influential founder of the right-wing youth activist group Turning Point USA, has entered its second day.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Kirk, 31, is a right-wing political activist and co-founder of the Turning Point USA nonprofit that promotes far-right policies and politics on high school and college campuses.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The documentary, celebrating the life and legacy of Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Reubens, received the honor of Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Shot on a real-life lavish Utah estate, Mountainhead is another modern satire from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — who reunited with that HBO drama’s composer Nicholas Britell for more unforgettable music.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That’s because there are two rival American inventors of the dishwasher, with dueling patents.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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In the 2009 documentary Transcendent Man, the American inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil shares his thoughts on death.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Harold was instrumental in bringing Ian Fleming to the Viking list in the early 1960s, and personally edited the mystery author Rex Stout for Viking.—
Paul Slovak
September 8,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Celebrating the assassination of a 31 year old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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His father, a hard-working Russian immigrant and patriotic US bomber pilot, taught him to respect authority.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Initiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiator. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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