1
as in commenced
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in started
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founded
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of began
Safonov, who began his football career in Krasnodar’s academy aged 12, is not your typical footballer.
—
Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
China’s metals industry began this year with its biggest profits in at least a decade as soaring prices for aluminum and copper handed the sector a major boost.
—Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Orlando has consistently ranked among the top cities with the most severe shortages of affordable housing since the report began in 2019, only absent from the top 10 in 2021.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
And the paintings began, in part, as a meditation on erasure—a rebuke, of sorts, to a digital regime that had abandoned writing’s tactility.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
No tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz today, according to tracking data, making Sunday one of the quietest days in the waterway since the conflict began.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
After graduating from Yale, Sophie began focusing on developing a career in nutrition and wellness.
—Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Bloom reveals the pair hit it off straight away, and that he was especially charmed by how Barrymore, who began acting at only 11 months old, made an effort to connect with all of the kids on set, too.
—EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
China’s metals industry began this year with its biggest profits in at least a decade as soaring prices for aluminum and copper handed the sector a major boost.
—Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Orlando has consistently ranked among the top cities with the most severe shortages of affordable housing since the report began in 2019, only absent from the top 10 in 2021.
—Ryan Von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
And the paintings began, in part, as a meditation on erasure—a rebuke, of sorts, to a digital regime that had abandoned writing’s tactility.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
No tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz today, according to tracking data, making Sunday one of the quietest days in the waterway since the conflict began.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
After graduating from Yale, Sophie began focusing on developing a career in nutrition and wellness.
—Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Bloom reveals the pair hit it off straight away, and that he was especially charmed by how Barrymore, who began acting at only 11 months old, made an effort to connect with all of the kids on set, too.
—EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.
—Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
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Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
-
Then the Spurs started the third quarter half on a 13-0 run and erased that lead before the end of the quarter.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Marketecture was founded in 2022 and is based in New York.—
William Earl,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The story of the site, which was subsequently bought by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp in 2005, is told in MySpace, a documentary directed by Tommy Avallone and produced by Gunpowder & Sky, the company founded by former MTV boss Van Toffler.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Eagles opened the draft with two fourth-round picks.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
His office opened an investigation into the county assessment department in July 2023, according to the report.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boys’ Love, also known as BL, is a genre of male romantic stories that originated in Japan and expanded across Asia over the past two decades.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
According to the royal family's website, the lace was appliquéd using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Canadian Radio-television Commission was established in 1968 as a federal agency to oversee broadcasting in Canada and in 1976 had its powers expanded to include telecommunications (and the name changed accordingly to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission [CRTC]).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI, now valued at nearly $1 trillion following the success of ChatGPT, was established in 2015 as a charity dedicated to benefiting humanity.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Machado, taking advantage of Mexico City’s altitude, launched his third and fourth home runs of the season.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Israel’s military said Hezbollah launched two rockets toward northern Israel, adding that one was intercepted.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The controversy over his military records arose over his previous claim that he was awarded the Bronze Star.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
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But as the ball swung around the perimeter, opportunities arose for the likes of Dosunmu and McDaniels to crack the paint off the bounce.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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