Definitions

pave the way

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break the ice v.
herald v.
introduce v.
precede v.
predate v.
ready v.
smooth v.
usher v.

VERB

break the ice

Synonyms

WEAK

be friendly and talkative break ground cut the first turf get one's feet wet lay the first stone lead off lead the way make a start oil the works open the way set at ease smooth the path socialize start start the ball rolling take the plunge

VERB

herald

Synonyms

STRONG

advertise announce ballyhoo broadcast declare foretoken harbinger indicate portend precede presage proclaim promise publicize publish show tout trumpet

WEAK

forerun preindicate usher in

Antonyms

STRONG

conceal deny hide keep secret secret

VERB

introduce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

announce offer open propose recommend submit suggest

STRONG

acquaint advance air broach familiarize harbinger herald moot originate precede preface usher ventilate

WEAK

bring out bring up come out with do the honors fix up get things rolling get-together give introduction kick off knock down lead into lead off open up put forward set forth spring with start ball rolling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal deny dissuade hide refuse withhold

STRONG

close close up end finish

WEAK

erase extract subtract take away

VERB

precede

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate foreshadow predate presage

STRONG

antecede antedate guide harbinger head herald introduce lead outrank pace pioneer preexist preface rank scout time usher

WEAK

be ahead of come first forerun go before go in advance have a head start head up in space light the way ring in run ahead take precedence

Antonyms

STRONG

end finish follow obey

WEAK

go after

VERB

predate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate foreshadow outrank presage

STRONG

antecede antedate guide harbinger head herald introduce lead pace pioneer preexist preface rank scout time usher

WEAK

be ahead of come first forerun go before go in advance have a head start head up in space light the way ring in run ahead take precedence

Antonyms

STRONG

end finish follow obey

VERB

ready

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrange brace equip fit fix gird provide warm up

STRONG

brief fortify get make order organize post prep set strengthen

WEAK

clear the decks fill in fit out gear up get ready get set keep posted let in on make ready make up psych up put on to wise up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disarrange disorganize

STRONG

disallow discourage disorder displace dissuade halt prevent weaken

WEAK

hold back retard slow

VERB

smooth

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alleviate ease facilitate iron out mellow mitigate soften

STRONG

allay appease assuage calm comfort cool cool out extenuate mollify palliate pat stroke

WEAK

take the edge off take the sting out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate increase intensify irritate worsen

STRONG

agitate annoy exasperate incite provoke trouble upset worry

VERB

usher

Synonyms

STRONGEST

escort initiate precede steer

STRONG

conduct direct herald inaugurate institute introduce launch lead marshal originate pilot preface receive

WEAK

bring in open the door set up show around show in show out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

neglect

STRONG

cease close end finish stop

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.

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pave the way

Allowing the contributions to the group trust could pave the way for future big-time stock donations by companies and individuals, according to IRS regulations released earlier this week.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

How Gilt Groupe helped pave the way for female startup founders in New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The findings could pave the way for clinical trials testing sEH inhibitors in chronic inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Connolly also presented Trump with a collection of poems by Michael Longley that includes “Ceasefire,” a poem inspired by the 1994 IRA ceasefire that helped pave the way for the Good Friday Agreement.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

But writing something that isn’t good might pave the way to something great, like Erica said.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

pave the way

Example Sentences

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