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.

Here are edited excerpts from those chats, which began rather mundane, turned increasingly strange, and ended up deadly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The talks that began Saturday were the highest-level formal meeting between the U.S. and Iran since the 1979 revolution that founded the Islamic Republic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

The inquiry began formally on 7 April 2025 when the Home Secretary issued the terms of reference.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Those media outlets reported that the staff member accusing Swalwell of rape was 21 when she began working for him in 2019 in his Castro Valley district office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

The terrible silence undid me, and I began to babble in the night.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck