began

[bih-gan] / bɪˈgæn /

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start v.
come into being; become functional v.

VERB

start

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commence create do establish found go ahead go into inaugurate initiate introduce launch lead make open prepare produce set up undertake

STRONG

activate actualize cause drive effect eventuate generate impel induce instigate institute motivate mount occasion originate trigger

WEAK

break ground break the ice bring about bring to pass embark on enter on enter upon get going give birth to give impulse lay foundation for make active plunge into set about set in motion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease close conclude destroy end fail finish halt ignore lose neglect ruin stop

STRONG

check discourage dissuade prevent repress

WEAK

complete consummate die

VERB

come into being; become functional

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear come out commence emerge enter happen occur rise set start take off

STRONG

arise bud dawn emanate germinate originate sail spring sprout

WEAK

be born come forth come into existence crop up derive from get going get show on road get under way grow out of issue forth kick off make tick proceed from result from send off stem from

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complete disappear end finish hide leave stop

STRONG

die shrink

WEAK

conclude consummate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

began

Discovery will be called Skydance — the moniker he picked nearly two decades ago when the tech scion began building his Hollywood empire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Venom began in Newcastle in 1978, formed by musicians from three other bands, but it was their second album - Black Metal released in 1982 - that cemented their status in the rock world.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Noncommunicable diseases represented eight of the 10 leading causes; NCDs now account for 74 percent of global deaths, up from 58 percent in 2000, when the GHE study began.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

But the story began in 2018, when I was a longtime member of Cincinnati’s city council with ambitions to become the next mayor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

“I’m . . . I’m so very sorry—” I began, but another voice interrupted me.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom