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.

Unsurprisingly people began to link the bomb to the controversial Thai decision the month before to forcibly repatriate 109 Uyghur men to China, which provoked angry protests by Uyghur sympathisers in countries like Turkey.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

When the team disabled genes involved in phosphatidylcholine production in young worms, the mitochondria quickly began to resemble those typically seen in much older animals.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

When the investigation began in August of that year, the reward was $20,000.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

It was only in May that Chinese users began to meaningfully pull from the nation’s various crude inventories, starting at around 500,000 barrels a day, according to maritime risk and intelligence firm Vortexa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Cocky leaned down and began gathering up the broken bits of cup.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom