1
as in establishing
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 introducing
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 inaugurating
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
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Recent Examples of initiating
Leo, who studied canon law, has spent much of his first eleven months in office assessing the Vatican internally, like a new chief executive getting to know a firm’s culture before initiating strategies for optimal performance.
—
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact.
—David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
What To Know Nearly three‑quarters of Jewish voters said Trump should have sought congressional authorization before initiating military action, including a sizable share of respondents who otherwise support the war, according to JEI.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
During the alleged assault, the victim managed to pull out a handgun, initiating a further struggle over the weapon.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Rather than initiating sustained ground warfare or formal declarations of war, the practice relies on intimidation and the visible projection of force to pressure governments into negotiation, secure concessions, impose favorable trade terms, or shape political outcomes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment.
—Staff Reports, Florida Times-Union, 24 Mar. 2026
Be proactive about lowering your own risk profile by initiating conversations about heart health, and only deal with doctors who take your concerns seriously.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Mar. 2026
Korea’s obesity guidelines recommend a lower BMI threshold (23) for initiating obesity GLP-1 pharmacotherapy.
—Aditi Kantipuly, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact.
—David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
What To Know Nearly three‑quarters of Jewish voters said Trump should have sought congressional authorization before initiating military action, including a sizable share of respondents who otherwise support the war, according to JEI.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
During the alleged assault, the victim managed to pull out a handgun, initiating a further struggle over the weapon.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Rather than initiating sustained ground warfare or formal declarations of war, the practice relies on intimidation and the visible projection of force to pressure governments into negotiation, secure concessions, impose favorable trade terms, or shape political outcomes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment.
—Staff Reports, Florida Times-Union, 24 Mar. 2026
Be proactive about lowering your own risk profile by initiating conversations about heart health, and only deal with doctors who take your concerns seriously.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Mar. 2026
Korea’s obesity guidelines recommend a lower BMI threshold (23) for initiating obesity GLP-1 pharmacotherapy.
—Aditi Kantipuly, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiating
Verb
-
Once soil health improves, many gardeners find that digging individual planting holes is sufficient for establishing crops.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, Angine de Poitrine are more like Meshuggah or Dawn of Midi, establishing a meter and then creating rhythmic illusions using creative bursts of syncopation.—
Christopher R. Weingarten,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The showrunner revealed that the upcoming fourth season will mark a creative reset, introducing a fresh narrative while keeping the ensemble cast intact.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Netflix picked up the first two seasons of Sullivan’s Crossing two months later, introducing a broader audience to the show based on the best-selling novel series by Robyn Carr.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This program collects two mid-length documentaries by Raymond Depardon from the mid-1970s, inaugurating a career-spanning interest in former French colonial Africa.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
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ChatGPT passed that benchmark earlier this year, inaugurating a new technological era, though not necessarily one of superhuman intelligence.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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McHugh, who joins CAA after serving as founding agent at United Talent Agency’s ventures group, will work across film, television, music, sports and digital talent to build global consumer brands and businesses.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The pair will support the subsidiary’s founding mission to develop and produce projects in the UK and across Europe.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Phillies are inducting Chase Utley, considered the greatest second baseman in the franchise’s history, into their Wall of Fame this summer — a potential precursor to a greater honor for Utley, the National Baseball Hall of Fame.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Prince did the honors of inducting them.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On the Island of the Gods, fresh ideas arrive like waves, creating a glorious cocktail of cultures and influences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One recalled how their oldest child once pushed an unplugged vacuum cleaner across the living room, carefully creating vacuum lines without actually cleaning anything.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What started as a fringe of far-right mothers has seen its interests collide with a presidential administration that embraces and amplifies their message, launching the group into a new level of influence in public policy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The next day, the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, launching the country into war.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orta is a frequent early adopter of pioneering dye technologies.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The content creator is known online, not only for her unique and pioneering vlog style, but also for her sartorial style.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Initiating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiating. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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