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 Similar debates were sparked by the building of Brazil’s Belo Monte dam, inaugurated in 2016, which displaced more than 40,000 people; and Colombia’s El Quimbo dam, on which construction began in 2011. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Ultra-luxury all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas Cruises will inaugurate its full-winter Mediterranean program this year—with pricing inclusive of excursions, food, beverages, and amenities like Wi-Fi. — Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 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 On Wednesday, President Laura Fernández inaugurated a mega-prison that emulates the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) that has become a symbol of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's security strategy. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inaugurate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugurate

Verb

Petersen’s research established the concept of mild cognitive impairment, which lies between healthy cognitive aging and dementia.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Beyond payment speed, Mastercard is also looking to incorporate blockchain and identity data to establish the same level of trust expected across other payment systems, Driver said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Glen Rice honored Retired Heat star Glen Rice was recently inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018 and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

— Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of induct

Verb

Legislators could begin the process of repealing the lock box by initiating a new amendment, but that wouldn’t go before voters until 2028.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Those initiated into the Golden Dawn were expected to progress through a ranking of grades to reach a level of enlightenment that might be described as superhuman.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of initiate

Verb

Blacksmith instead buys its own machines, tens of thousands of them, according to Jayaprakash, and installs them in data centers around the world.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The village had long planned to install additional sirens, including three that could instruct people to seek high ground during flooding, allowing a more orderly evacuation.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of install

Verb

The first of the line, the Bonifaz, was launched in September of last year and is expected to be officially commissioned into the Navy by 2028.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
It’s been used all over the world for decades, but now a few brands in the US are slowly launching formulas with it.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of launch

Verb

Even the afternoon’s custom table runners, made from archival fabric by FIT Menswear students, nodded to the designer’s signature ikat print, first introduced in 1983.

— Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of introduce

Verb

Apple's first foldable comes seven years after Samsung pioneered the category, but the American tech giant is expected to take a sizable chunk of the market.

— MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
The perfumer at the start of his career created with L’Artisan Parfumeur’s founder Jean Laporte the Mûre et Musc scent that pioneered fruity fragrances.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pioneer

Verb

The deep soaking tub and clear shower stall are set pieces in the room, creating a real open and airy feel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Knight may have been thinking about the film for 16 years, but creating the version that is coming out in 2026 wouldn’t have been possible without all of the learnings spread across films like ParaNorman and Kubo and the Two Strings.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of create

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inaugurals

inaugurate

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“Inaugurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inaugurate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of inaugurate

verb

Synonym Chooser

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Articles Related to inaugurate

The Origin of 'Inaugurate'

Cite this Entry

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