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.

Before human testing began, animal studies showed the vaccine could generate strong immune responses against multiple coronaviruses.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

In 2020, he began selling off small chunks of his stake as SpaceX hit a $36 billion valuation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“Julie was our shepherd and our protector the whole time we were there,” the singer says of Death Cab’s nearly two-decade run at Atlantic, which began with 2005’s Grammy-nominated “Plans.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

In an analysis published Thursday, Perkins notes that there was a time last year when investors began to worry about the sustainability of AI capital spending, asking whether the potential returns justify the vast expenditures.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

But as the doors closed behind me my heart began to race.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom