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 Hurricanes began to assume control of the series after falling behind by the score of 4-0 in Game 3.
—
Mark Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Due to his attacking flair and rise through La Masía, comparisons to Messi began early.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Brady began dating supermodel Gisele Bunchen in January 2007.
—Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
In 2013, off-the-field issues began to affect his on-field availability.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Vogt was forced to reshuffle his lineup and put Rhys Hoskins, who began the game at first base, in left field.
—Tom Withers, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The next morning, my feet began to itch like mad.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
But the festival began on a more somber note.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Mark Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Trump’s birthday began with a new round of Israeli military strikes in Beirut, which the country said was in response to projectiles fired by the militant group Hezbollah at Israel.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Due to his attacking flair and rise through La Masía, comparisons to Messi began early.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Brady began dating supermodel Gisele Bunchen in January 2007.
—Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
In 2013, off-the-field issues began to affect his on-field availability.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Vogt was forced to reshuffle his lineup and put Rhys Hoskins, who began the game at first base, in left field.
—Tom Withers, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The next morning, my feet began to itch like mad.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
But the festival began on a more somber note.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for began
Verb
-
In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Years later, on May 24, 2011, Casey's trial commenced in Orlando.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One last comeback The Spurs started the fourth quarter by rebuilding their lead – a huge dunk by Wembanayama extended the lead to a nine-point margin with 10 minutes to go.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The grounds crew got the tarp down just before the rain started pouring a few minutes later.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The James Beard Foundation was founded in 1986 and is named for the legendary cookbook author who has been called America’s first foodie.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
-
The company was founded in 1998 by skydivers Chris Hall and his father, John Hall, and for nearly three decades has operated out of Butler Memorial Airport.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
It's been a number of weeks since a family friendly film opened wide, and with summer upon us, that makes for a majorly underserved market raring to return to theaters.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 June 2026
-
Then, in July 2024, after sharing her family's story on TikTok, an unexpected message opened the door to a new way of keeping their mother close.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The network originated in Stephenville, Texas, about 78 miles southwest of Fort Worth, and takes its name from the first three digits of the city’s 76401 ZIP code.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
-
The findings add to growing evidence that suggests where plague might have originated, experts say — and also challenge ideas about what enabled plague to spread.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The Wright brothers launched their airplane factory at a time when Dayton had established itself as one of the world's most innovative cities, according to Lockhart, who noted that Dayton was the home of several world-changing inventions at the time.—
Randy Tucker,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
The Cleveland Foundation is considered the first community foundation, established in 1914 by lawyer Frederick Harris Goff as a way to fund durable change in the city.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Israel, which launched an airstrike in Beirut earlier on Sunday before the announcement, has not yet commented on the agreement.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
The Israeli military struck targets in Beirut's suburbs on Sunday after the militant group Hezbollah launched projectiles toward Israel, Reuters reported.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Talk of SpaceX, which billionaire Elon Musk founded in 2002 to find a way to Mars, going public had been rampant since late 2025, when the first hints arose of its possibility.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
12 June 2026
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The show focuses on various themes, among them, Revolutionary Textiles, which documents the Homespun movement that arose to boycott British imports; Across the Atlantic centers on continental influences on Colonial fashion; The Business of Sea chronicles Sag Harbor’s maritime past.—
Catherine Sabino,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Began.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/began. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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