1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of began
The protest comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where demonstrations that began over economic grievances have spread nationwide, evolving into a direct challenge to Iran's clerical leadership.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Using products by celeb-favorite skin care brand iS Clinical, Flores began by cleansing Williams' skin with the lightweight Cleansing Complex before spraying his skin with a Copper Firming Mist.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
The bit began with two UFC fighters who emerged to serve as their personal bodyguards against any ravenous super-fans.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2005, McKee began medical school at Ohio State University and interned at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center starting in 2014, records show.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The Knicks began to pull away in the final minutes, going up 60-54 on Karl-Anthony Towns' basket.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Alvin Dewey, the detective in charge for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, began to tolerate him; later, Capote would charm Dewey’s wife, Marie, and Dewey himself.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Warriors coach Steve Kerr began his pregame press conference by remembering the rock and roll icon.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
If this year’s March and June get-togethers were learning exercises — including for the staff after Tuchel began work in January — the next two and the one starting today (Sunday) are all about creating an atmosphere the players and the English public can all buy into.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
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Officials then searched the children’s home and commenced an air and ground search.—
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In 2012, whiskey production commenced at the distillery, with bottles hitting the market a few years later.—
Verb
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The year started with a four-day streak of 70-degree highs; however, Oklahoma will soon see temperatures dip a bit into the mid-50s and 60s at the start of next week, with some parts of the state expecting snow.—
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Sean Kuraly had a goal and an assist, Tanner Jeannot had two assists, and the Boston Bruins started a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.—
Verb
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However, former Federal Air Marshal Peter Johnson — who founded Archway Defense, which has trained state, local and federal law enforcement in firearms for the past decade — told WCCO the street is not the place to challenge a federal agent's orders.—
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Brooklyn is also one of several franchises that have centralized video storage, search and distribution workflows through ScorePlay, a startup founded in France, headquartered in New York and growing in the NBA.—
Verb
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Pruneyard Cinemas opened to a lot of fanfare in 2018, but its owners have been running uphill — and losing ground — since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.—
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The business initially opened as a supply store, then added a taproom and eventually a restaurant.—
Verb
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The project originated from a news story and took shape during a residency at the Museum of Imagined Futures.—
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One of the theories of how this holiday originated connects it to European farmers in the 18th Century.—
Verb
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Still, the identity of an offense that amassed more regular-season yardage (6,282) than any of the previous 105 Bears teams was established up front, with a tenacious line and the kind of aggressive running game Johnson embraces.—
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Although United Van Lines examined more than 100,000 moves, its customers tend to be established homeowners with families who can afford a full-service mover.—
Verb
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Republicans have also launched a congressional investigation into the fire response.—
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Following the tragic incident, a family friend, Ella Mackrell, launched a GoFundMe to help bring the teen’s body home, as well as cover expenses related to travel, lodging and the funeral.—
Verb
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However, speculation of their breakup arose in early 2024 when the two wiped their Instagrams of each other.—
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The original postponement announcement stated NASA was monitoring a medical concern that arose Wednesday afternoon.—
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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