INITIATE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

initiate

verb

i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt

Definition of initiate next

as in to establish

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

as in to introduce

to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to inaugurate

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word initiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of initiate are begin, commence, inaugurate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for initiate?

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

begin a trip

began dancing

How is commence related to other words for initiate?

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

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When would inaugurate be a good substitute for initiate?

The meanings of inaugurate and initiate largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to initiate?

While the synonyms start and initiate are close in meaning, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of initiate?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of initiate Baird initiates Expedia at outperform Baird says the online travel website company is well positioned. —

Michael Bloom, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024 Education Minister Yoav Kisch said on Israel Army Radio there will be a 30- to 60-day period of renovating buildings and institutions damaged by Hezbollah fire before Israel initiates a return of Israeli residents. —

Scott Neuman, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024 This would have to be initiated by the FDA on the grounds that the drug is not safe or effective. —

Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 An officer initiated the motor vehicle stop after receiving a report at 9:49 p.m. that a motorist was failing to stay in their lane on Hartford Avenue, according to the Granby Police Department. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for initiate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate

Verb

Meta's WhatsApp is now well established as one of the best apps for group chats.

David Nield, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024
President Barack Obama had established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity in 2010, with the lofty goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.

Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024