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 Loop initiates Trimble at buy Loop says the hardware and software company's transformation is underway. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 Neither party wants to initiate a conversation that’s bound to feel morbid. — Christina Wing, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 But just 2,475 — fewer than seven a day — were initiated by citizens. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 Research has demonstrated the importance of initiating appropriate treatment early in the course of disease, before neurological damage accumulates. — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for initiate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiate

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

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

Dior has a long history with Harrods, which began in 1953 when Christian Dior inaugurated a corner shop at the Knightsbridge store.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
The interview in The Bookman had inaugurated what turned into a flurry of correspondence with his old clerk in the spring of 1892.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of inaugurate

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

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

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

Verb

One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
In early October, an agency field staffer requested that Citation install a specialized well in the Bayou to pump out polluted groundwater, according to a report in the agency’s incident database.

— Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of install

Verb

The facility depends on the same KBS-3 isolation technology pioneered alongside Finland.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Under the pioneering spirit of art director Luca Nichetto, a global roster of names are refreshing this ages-old company’s profile, among them Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of pioneer

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“Initiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of initiate

verb

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