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.

She began to regain responsiveness in the evening and was finally able to get out of bed again by 22:00, 13 hours after she took the medication.

From BBC

Keith Dewhurst, external: Playwright began his career as a football reporter on the Manchester Evening Chronicle in the 1950s during the time of the Busby Babes and the Munich Air Disaster.

From BBC

She said "my kids were afraid that I was going to die and they were going to die", and that her family began to dread public spaces and social events.

From BBC

According to Bankrate External link, the average retail credit card annual percentage rate has surpassed 30%, one of the highest levels since it began tracking the rate 40 years ago.

From Barron's

She began her career in 1991, working in the overnight call center at Strong Capital Management.

From Barron's