began

[bih-gan] / bɪˈgæn /

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.

In February, the FCC began a probe into whether the changes in the sports-media business are harming consumers and broadcasters by placing so many games on streaming services causing costs to rise for fans.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Evercore ISI analysts on Thursday noted an uptick in headlines and social media posts related to a Moderna collaboration on the virus with Korea University that began in 2023.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

There have been 890 laboratory-confirmed cases of hantavirus disease reported in the U.S. since surveillance began in 1993, according to the most recent data from the CDC.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

Last year, she moved to take a job at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and regularly began wearing a large-brimmed hat, sunglasses and plenty of sun cream.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

He struck the stone against the rim of his monocle, raining sparks over the hearth kindling—once, twice, three times, until the sparks nestled into the tinder and began to grow into flames.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman