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
The wedding festivities for Swift and Kelce began on Thursday, July 2, with guests seen arriving at MSG, the Knicks' home arena, for what is believed to be a rehearsal dinner.
—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Shortly thereafter, people began sharing stories of allegedly being scammed by Miller in a fantasy football league and scouting service.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
The encounter began when Todd and Elvia Malcolm spotted a female moose near the edge of the woods in Telos Township, Maine, and pulled over hoping to snap a photo.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
ByteDance began hiring for 100 open roles, signed multiple independent filmmakers and artists and held private conversations about financing AI films.
—
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Winners of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest have eaten a total of 2,541 famous franks, give or take a few, since the contest began in 1982.
—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Jackson's catalog is still in the midst of a major resurgence that began when the singer's biopic Michael arrived in theaters this spring.
—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
All of it was on the table Sunday night as the rain, which didn’t seem to be affecting most parts of the state, finally began to pull away from Cromwell and Rocky Hill.
—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
Kpler data showed over 100 ships used to pass through the strait daily before the war began.
—
Xiaoqian Lin,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Shortly thereafter, people began sharing stories of allegedly being scammed by Miller in a fantasy football league and scouting service.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
The encounter began when Todd and Elvia Malcolm spotted a female moose near the edge of the woods in Telos Township, Maine, and pulled over hoping to snap a photo.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
ByteDance began hiring for 100 open roles, signed multiple independent filmmakers and artists and held private conversations about financing AI films.
—
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Winners of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest have eaten a total of 2,541 famous franks, give or take a few, since the contest began in 1982.
—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Jackson's catalog is still in the midst of a major resurgence that began when the singer's biopic Michael arrived in theaters this spring.
—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
All of it was on the table Sunday night as the rain, which didn’t seem to be affecting most parts of the state, finally began to pull away from Cromwell and Rocky Hill.
—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2026
Kpler data showed over 100 ships used to pass through the strait daily before the war began.
—
Xiaoqian Lin,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
-
On Thursday, the star and producer revealed that production has commenced on Fast Forever, which is set for a March 17, 2028 premiere, the 11th and final chapter in the $7 billion action franchise that launched with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious.
-
Carlson, whose rights Anaheim traded to Carolina four days before the free agent signing period commenced, joins a defense corps that includes Victor Hedman, who is one year younger and has played five more career regular season games.
Verb
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Aldo Álvarez started Mercatoria, another online delivery service, in 2021 with three other Cuban partners.
-
In 1968, the federal government stepped in and started selling flood insurance managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
Verb
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Dioz was co-founded by Johnny, 44, and his brother Tony in 2006.
-
Love co-founded the Beach Boys in 1961 with his cousins Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson and friend Al Jardine.
Verb
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San Diego opened a 2-0 lead when Miguel Andújar scored on Xander Bogaerts' double in the fourth.
-
It can be poured as an apéritif, opened with takeout or brought to the table alongside a simple piece of fish.
Verb
-
So, that was a huge unlock for me in terms of just making the work sustainable, which is where the different series, like Botched, What’s in the Fridge, and the ranking content originated from.
-
The cleats, now scrupulously modeled in 3D simulations, originated as sharp metal nails, the kind sold at a local hardware store.
Verb
-
In Wednesday's hearing, DHS said that a law established this year helped create a team that would provide resources to patients who experience disruptions in care.
-
The bill also established new borrowing caps for parents and graduate students who take out loans, and imposed new restrictions for Pell Grants, among other measures.
Verb
-
Khamenei was killed along with several members of his family in an airstrike as the US and Israel launched their war with Iran on February 28.
-
Legend shares a staggering scale with its two sister ships – Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, and Star of the Seas last year – but features a number of new and reimagined venues and activities.
Verb
-
The question arose following the ouster from the September primary ballot of Republican Anne Manning Martin by the state Ballot Law Commission.
-
In 2025/2026, however, tensions arose when Raphinha relapsed just before the October Clasico lost to Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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