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.

The hunger and economic strike began May 19, including at the Desert View Annex, a wing of the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, where detainees alleged subpar conditions and inadequate medical care.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Mr. Stoddard began collecting Baby Bens when he was a teenager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

US officials say they have hit more than 13,000 targets across Iran since the conflict began on 28 February.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Shares of the San Antonio-based bank were up less than 0.1% on Thursday, but the stock has gained 7.1% from the close of trading on June 2, the day before the Finals began.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

But then I began to understand that she wasn’t judging me.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo