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.

Truly, on a day that began so dark, there wound up being a familiar glow cast on the Rose Bowl winners and their unparalleled surroundings.

From Los Angeles Times

But a series of ground-breaking scientific developments in the 2010s by Prof David Nutt and his team at Imperial College London began a process that may well end up changing that.

From BBC

It will be an 88th Test for the classy left-hander, culminating his Test career where it began after making his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2011, also against England.

From Barron's

As the table filled, people began to place individual candles on the frozen ground.

From Barron's

The storm, which the National Weather Service described as “very juicy,” began around 3:45 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times