usher

as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

Examples of usher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing ushered a generation of kids onto the computer. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2024 Judge Brinkema, who ushered along the highly technical trial much quicker than the original six-week timeline, hasn’t done much to tip her hand about who might win. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2024 In her first year as a pro Clark has almost singlehandedly ushered the WNBA into a new era, as her games with the Fever became mandatory viewing for basketball fiends and curiosity seekers alike. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2024 Since acquiring Fitbit in 2021, Google has ushered sweeping changes to the platform, including removing the online dashboard, social features, and the ability to sync Fitbits with computers. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for usher 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'usher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near usher

Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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