INITIATE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

initiate

verb

i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt

Definition of initiate

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

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 initiate One of the most enticing aspects of Longchamp’s offering — and a clear draw for the notably discerning Gen Z consumer — is the custom offering, My Pliage, initiated in 2003. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 The Eiffel Tower was recently forced to turn away visitors and close its operations for a full day after staff initiated a sudden strike, AP reported. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 However, the judge noted that prosecutors were still free to initiate new criminal proceedings against Busfield. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 The investigation must establish the facts, including who initiated the violence. — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for initiate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate

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

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

Last month, North Korea inaugurated the first road bridge linking it to Russia.

— Gage Goulding, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Located at 30 Galerie de Montpensier, the 323-square-foot space will be inaugurated by a solo exhibition for Deborah Roberts, running through November 28.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inaugurate

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

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

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

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

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

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“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of initiate

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