Definitions

began

[bih-gan] / bɪˈgæn /

VERB

start

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence create do establish found go ahead go into inaugurate initiate introduce launch lead make open prepare produce set up undertake

STRONG

activate actualize cause drive effect eventuate generate impel induce instigate institute motivate mount occasion originate trigger

WEAK

break ground break the ice bring about bring to pass embark on enter on enter upon get going give birth to give impulse lay foundation for make active plunge into set about set in motion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease close conclude destroy end fail finish halt ignore lose neglect ruin stop

STRONG

check discourage dissuade prevent repress

WEAK

complete consummate die

VERB

come into being; become functional

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear come out commence emerge enter happen occur rise set start take off

STRONG

arise bud dawn emanate germinate originate sail spring sprout

WEAK

be born come forth come into existence crop up derive from get going get show on road get under way grow out of issue forth kick off make tick proceed from result from send off stem from

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complete disappear end finish hide leave stop

STRONG

die shrink

WEAK

conclude consummate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He began knocking her front door, and it felt like quite a while without an answer.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Pulte and his wife began supporting it in the early 1990s.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Sports began for me early, after I saw a photo of my dad boxing in the Navy during World War II. I played all sports—football, basketball, baseball, track and swimming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

"We saw walls collapsing, the floors opening up. And then water and mud began spurting up from underneath the flooring."

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Here and there in the parks and along the canals trees began to disappear as people cut them down to heat cookstoves and fireplaces.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom