usher

as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

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 usher Baldoni alleged he was only allowed to attend the premiere on the condition that he and his family be ushered off the red carpet before Lively arrived and watch the movie in a separate theater. David MacK, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025 Guests were then ushered to dinner with traditional Swiss cowbells. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 June 2025 Carey has been ushering new beginnings both personally and professionally. Michelle Lee, People.com, 10 June 2025 The attendant ushers an elderly woman over to an Orb. Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for usher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usher
Verb
  • They’re embedded just enough to carry the weight—but not enough to steer the ship.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • At the same time, Wynwood Norte is seeing some of the fruits of the rezoning in the form of several low-scale, neighborhood-friendly workforce apartment buildings that are now under construction, said Miami attorney Steven Wernick, who helped steer that plan to approval.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • There will be guided tours of the park and Wright’s Walter House in Quasqueton, Iowa.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • These dimensions all come together in projects that support their residents’ wellbeing and incorporate six guiding principles GWI outlines.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Fortune helped edit the autobiography of leading Black intellectual Booker T. Washington, and his civil rights organization, National Afro-American League, is considered an important predecessor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
  • Morrison leads the nation with 10 outings of six innings or longer in which he’s allowed zero or one run.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Wednesday is predicted to put an end to the week’s streak of showers and thunderstorms with mostly sunny conditions expected throughout the day accompanied by a high of 88.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
  • Costly Fourth of July barbecues in California Fireworks aren’t the only thing accompanying Californians’ Fourth of July celebrations this year — higher grocery prices will as well.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on usher

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!