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.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live, she says she began to limit his screen time, but that he struggled when he started at school in September because of screens there.

From BBC

Tesla’s stock was down about 8% since hostilities began on Feb. 28, through Thursday trading.

From Barron's

Combs has mapped out his new gig, which began in January, on a two-column chart he’s sketched on a notepad.

From Barron's

Before Sisto began the process of consolidating the loans to make his monthly payments more manageable, he said he would wake up in the middle of the night wondering if he would go bankrupt.

From MarketWatch

His kitchen sketches eventually became what he called “cookstrips,” illustrated newspaper strips of cooking recipes that started in the Daily Express and began their celebrated run in the Observer in 1962.

From The Wall Street Journal