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.

It is the culmination of a journey that began in small London clubs decades earlier.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

When Nancy moved a few years later from Youngstown, Ohio, where they met, the two began writing letters almost daily in study hall and at home, draped across their beds.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

But there had been questions over the Iranian team’s security in the U.S. after American and Israeli attacks on the country began nearly four months ago.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Zietlow, now at the History Museum at the Castle in Wisconsin, began investigating the fossils while working as a Ph.D. student in comparative biology at the American Museum of Natural History's Richard Gilder Graduate School.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

The discordant song about Clare began again, led by the largest boy in the group.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman