1
as in establishes
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
no one knows who initiated written language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introduces
to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to
initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in inaugurates
to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies
initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of initiates
Wolfe initiates Rubrik as outperform Wolfe says the cybersecurity company is firing on all cylinders.
—
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Russian drone incursions last year prompted Poland to formally invoke NATO's Article 4, which initiates official consultations among allies regarding a direct security threat.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Don’t try any physical contact, including a handshake, unless the royal initiates it.
—Veronica Bravo, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The shot attempts aren’t high, but few possessions go to waste when Towns initiates offense.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The office typically initiates communication by letter, Settle said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Incidents when a person intentionally or unintentionally initiates contact, including spearfishing and releasing sharks from nets or hooks, are not included in the report.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Russian drone incursions last year prompted Poland to formally invoke NATO's Article 4, which initiates official consultations among allies regarding a direct security threat.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Don’t try any physical contact, including a handshake, unless the royal initiates it.
—Veronica Bravo, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The shot attempts aren’t high, but few possessions go to waste when Towns initiates offense.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The office typically initiates communication by letter, Settle said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Incidents when a person intentionally or unintentionally initiates contact, including spearfishing and releasing sharks from nets or hooks, are not included in the report.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiates
Verb
-
The first episode establishes immediately that something is uniquely off about Widow’s Bay, and not just because Shep, a shipman patrolling the waters at night, goes missing, potentially because he’s been taken by a sinister fog.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The new law establishes a foreign agent registration requirement, ensuring individuals acting on behalf of hostile foreign governments cannot operate in the shadows.—
Joe Gebbia Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The show’s first season also introduces the rest of Garrett and Logan’s hockey quartet, John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks) and Dean DiLaurentis (Stephen Kalyn), along with Hannah’s best friend and Dean’s love interest, Allie (Mika Abdalla).—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The first season also introduces the rest of the quartet of hockey players who will each co-lead a season based on a different book, Cipriano (Logan), Kalyn (Dean) and Jalen Thomas Brooks (Tucker from Book #4, The Goal), along with Abdalla as Hannah’s best friend Allie.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Welcome to the wild world of casting non-professional actors, a practice that is in the spotlight this year as the Academy inaugurates the casting Oscar.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi, on Monday.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.—
Fabiola Sanchez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments, at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
1 May 2026
-
At the heart of this is also the aim to create an ecosystem for young filmmakers – one that empowers and educates them on the importance of marketing and distribution so that great stories don’t just get made, but truly reach audiences.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducts both non-performers and performers alike each year.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The contract establishes minimum wage rates for daily and weekly work and inducts intimacy coordinators into the union health and pension plans.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, the plan creates the situation, and the unexpected knockout blow makes the plan look clever.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
August 23 – September 22 One thoughtful move today creates real momentum.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Chilsen, in recent years Switch Together – which works with Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane counties but is also available to Kendall, McHenry and Will residents – has completed 673 solar installations and, as a newer part to the program, 65 battery installs and 35 EV charger installs.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Washington routinely installs foreign flags along major corridors near the White House and federal office buildings during state visits and other high-level diplomatic events, a long-standing practice meant to honor visiting leaders and signal the significance of the occasion.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initiates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiates. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
