begin

[bih-gin] / bɪˈgɪn /

VERB

start

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence create do establish found go ahead go into inaugurate initiate introduce launch lead make open prepare produce set up start 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 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.

The first round of noise is expected to begin around dusk, at 8:30 p.m., and the exercises will continue until around 12:30 a.m., according to city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

In September she will begin a health and care course and has ambitions to become a doctor.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Quantinuum QNT, a full-stack quantum-computing platform, will see its shares begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “QNT” on Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Though “a continuous carriage” may begin in one state and end in another, he noted, “much of the journey” can take place “within the limits of a single state,” like Brock’s last-mile deliveries here.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

I stopped growing when I was eight and I was small to begin with.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

begin

Example Sentences

Related Words