as in start
the point at which something begins
the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introductory
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commencing
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founding
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of beginning
William Earl, Variety, 15 May 2026
Blood is only the beginning in Marion Le Corroller’s Species, which follows firmly in the trail pioneered by Julia Ducournau but brings its own thoughts to the woman-in-a-man’s-world body-horror genre.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
The Legacy Experience is open to the public beginning May 16, 2026.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
So this is starting again, just literally, but there is a new beginning in her.
—William Earl, Variety, 15 May 2026
Blood is only the beginning in Marion Le Corroller’s Species, which follows firmly in the trail pioneered by Julia Ducournau but brings its own thoughts to the woman-in-a-man’s-world body-horror genre.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Adjective
A lot of the dialogue existed and the crew had the beginning demos of the songs to work with.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Now, with the injury to Sanders, Sauls to the Dolphins makes perfect sense for the beginning weeks of the season.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Born in Germany during the war, Schlöndorff spent his formative years in France, attending school there and beginning his cinema apprenticeship under such directors as Louis Malle and Jean-Pierre Melville.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
The Legacy Experience is open to the public beginning May 16, 2026.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Since 2008, starting pitchers have thrown only three pitches of a hundred and three miles per hour or more, including one that Misiorowski threw in his previous start, against the Washington Nationals.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The company makes its products from start to finish.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
It will also be used as a test-bed for long-term habitation and preparatory work for permanent bases.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Najib was the only one of the defendants who was arrested and present in person in court Sunday for a preparatory session in the trial, which will continue next month.—
Ghaith Alsayed,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Prepaid carriers already offer great introductory rates, but adding a double-digit discount makes this an unbeatable trial window for anyone testing out a new network.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
-
Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The 79th annual Cannes Film Festival is around the corner, commencing May 13 with the opening ceremony at the Palais des Festivals in the south of France.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
This is the phase of the project that’s now commencing.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
And across Europa, the founding values of respect for human dignity, freedom, equality before the law, and democracy being attacked by the very leaders who had been voted into power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
These programs don’t offer assistance to the growing share of gig and contract workers during longer transitions, such as training or founding a start-up, and leave them to finance their own health care, retirement, and training with no backstop.—
Karen Kornbluh,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Characters that remain immensely popular and revered nearly 50 years after their inception.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
The Washington National Opera, at the center since its inception, had already announced plans to leave even before the closure was announced.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to a preliminary investigation, four suspects wearing hoodies and gloves used hammers to smash a display case and stole jewelry.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Outside of a track and field preliminary meet at Yorba Linda High on Saturday, an anti-transgender advocacy group called Save Girls’ Sports organized a protest against California policies that allow transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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