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.

And, for the first time, began banning people from the festival for bad behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

“When the war began, there was a huge amount of oil at sea already,” Victor said.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

Later, when organisms began spreading over greater distances and reproducing sexually, diversity increased dramatically.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

Construction work on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and full completion is expected in about a decade.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

It was not until he was leading me back into the house and up the grand staircase that I began to see for myself what he was complaining about.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo