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
The researchers used liquid metal particles (LMPs) as initiators for polymerization, the chemical process used to form the hydrogel network.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
His top recommendation for the latter was Pitzock, the restaurant run by his uncle Oskar Messner, one of the initiators of the Slow Food movement in the valley and among the most knowledgeable sources in the region on local ingredients and tradition.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2026
Los Angeles also employed Luke Kennard as a ballhandler and initiator, and guard Marcus Smart is back after missing nearly three weeks with a right ankle injury.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Ausar Thompson is the Pistons’ second-most effective offensive initiator after Cunningham.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Peterson is breathtakingly talented as a scorer and on-ball initiator, but health concerns have marred an otherwise impressive freshman season.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
History suggests that wars aimed at reshaping political systems hardly ever unfold as their initiators intend.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
And when Aaron's healthier, that's an initiator of our offense as well.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
PiqlFilm is also the initiator of the Arctic World Archive (AWA), a repository for world memory located in Northern Norway on the Arctic Ocean.
—Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
His top recommendation for the latter was Pitzock, the restaurant run by his uncle Oskar Messner, one of the initiators of the Slow Food movement in the valley and among the most knowledgeable sources in the region on local ingredients and tradition.
—Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2026
Los Angeles also employed Luke Kennard as a ballhandler and initiator, and guard Marcus Smart is back after missing nearly three weeks with a right ankle injury.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Ausar Thompson is the Pistons’ second-most effective offensive initiator after Cunningham.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Peterson is breathtakingly talented as a scorer and on-ball initiator, but health concerns have marred an otherwise impressive freshman season.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
History suggests that wars aimed at reshaping political systems hardly ever unfold as their initiators intend.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
And when Aaron's healthier, that's an initiator of our offense as well.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
PiqlFilm is also the initiator of the Arctic World Archive (AWA), a repository for world memory located in Northern Norway on the Arctic Ocean.
—Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiator
Noun
-
There’s plenty to see and do on this one street—stop by Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750; the Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, honoring the founder of the Girl Scouts; then grab a bite at Marbled & Fin, where luxe appetizers and aged steaks reign supreme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
Natasha is the founder of Beulah London, and Kate owns several pieces from the brand.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Although Hollis published his video years prior, creator Michael Averett’s (@michael_averett) recent recipe video seems to have reignited interest in the cake.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
-
The phrase has its own meaning within Anne Rice’s lush, grandiose world of bloodsuckers and spell-casters as interpreted by creator and showrunner Rolin Jones.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
This was a preliminary, phase one clinical trial, so there was still a long way to go to confirm that this approach really could achieve what its inventors hoped—stopping an invader dead in its tracks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Baker’s playing career alone — 19 years, two All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove, fourth in National League MVP voting in 1980, on-deck for Aaron’s 715th, co-inventor of the high-five with Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke — is the stuff of baseball lore.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The author’s name was never part of it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Yuval Noah Harari, the historian and author, wrote in the Financial Times that these entities would seemingly be granted traditional human rights, like being able to own assets, hire employees, trade, sue, and donate, with decisions made by AI agents and without human liability.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
His father then held the seat from 2003 until 2011.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
Similarly compelling is ‘Home Going,’ in which Clemmons traces her father’s family’s migration to Los Angeles in the 1970s, motivated by the promise of economic opportunities that had previously seemed out of reach for Black people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiator. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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