INAUGURATE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inaugurate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin , commence , initiate , start , and usher in . While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. // the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Q: How does the word 'begin' relate to other synonyms for 'inaugurate'?

Begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable, with begin , opposed to end , being the most general. // begin a trip // began dancing

Q: How is 'commence' related to other words for 'inaugurate'?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start . // commence firing // commenced a conversation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'initiate' instead of 'inaugurate'?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue. // initiated diplomatic contacts

Q: Where would 'start' be a reasonable alternative to 'inaugurate'?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start , opposed to stop , applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. // the work started slowly

Q: How do 'usher in' and 'inaugurate' relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate . // ushered in a period of economic decline

inaugurate

verb

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt

Definition of inaugurate

as in to establish

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to induct

to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies the president inaugurated the newest member of the club with a welcoming speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin, commence, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

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

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 inaugurate?

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

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When is it sensible to use initiate instead of inaugurate?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to inaugurate?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example 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 inaugurate First inaugurated in 2021 at the Triennale Milano, the initiative has traveled to Barcelona, Venice, Shanghai at the Prada Rong Zhai mansion, and Qingdao, China. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 The changes would go into effect in 2029, when MLB is set to inaugurate new national TV deals. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Five African heads of state inaugurated on Wednesday a $16-billion oil refinery project in East Africa, following calls for the continent to boost its self-sufficiency in processing raw materials into finished products. — Evelyne Musambi, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 It was inaugurated in 1960, in time for the Olympics, and had a revolutionary design with viewing galleries at the front and back of the train that allowed passengers to take in the scenery. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inaugurate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugurate

Verb

Around the same time, Congress established the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, an administrative body that adjudicates patent disputes.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
During preliminary sea trials, operators aboard the carrier used the ship’s Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to establish a beyond-line-of-sight connection with the aircraft through a satellite network.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

In 2018, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for helping families recover from Hurricane Harvey.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
This year, Blackstone was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame and was also named to the EBONY Power 100 list as a 2026 Music Innovator.

— Courtney Cole, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of induct

Verb

Autonomous agents are beginning to participate in commerce on behalf of businesses, making decisions, initiating transactions and interacting with other systems at machine speed.

— Alex Zuck, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Rothschild & Co Redburn initiates MiniMed as buy The firm said the insulin pump company has a competitive advantage.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of initiate

Verb

The company is working with Rivian to install battery storage systems at its manufacturing facilities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The program allows the city to install cameras on CTA buses, city vehicles, and utility and light poles to catch drivers who park in bike lanes, bus-only lanes, bus stops, and crosswalks.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of install

Verb

Instead, as Israel moved closer to a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia, Hamas launched an assault that upended the region, plunging it into war.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of launch

Verb

From 2001 to 2010, as Denmark introduced nationwide resuscitation initiatives including mandatory school CPR education, bystander CPR rates more than doubled, while 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than tripled.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.

— Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of introduce

Verb

Fifty years ago, scientists pioneering a terrifying gene-splicing technology figured out a way to collectively hit pause.

— Nick Fountain, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Taking a page from SpaceX’s playbook If the design feels familiar, that is because SpaceX pioneered it.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of pioneer

Verb

For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The working group of administrators and Greek life representatives created action plans for each chapter to resume operations in fall 2018 based on a blind review of their previous four years.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of create

Browse Nearby Words

inaugurals

inaugurate

inaugurated

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“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugurate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inaugurate

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Synonyms of inaugurate

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to inaugurate

The Origin of 'Inaugurate'

Cite this Entry

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