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.

Those balloons never made it to outer space, but when the Ukraine war began, he remembered their utility.

From The Wall Street Journal

The project began in 2020 when Jack Devlin, then a Ph.D. student, was struck by a documentary about plastic pollution before later moving to Scotland to work as a marine ornithologist.

From Science Daily

The injured tissue produced substantial neurite outgrowth, meaning the long extensions that allow neurons to communicate began growing again.

From Science Daily

They deemed the operation a success, and six months of chemotherapy began in February.

From Los Angeles Times

Members of Unite are currently part of ongoing bin strikes in Birmingham which began with a series of one-off strikes in January 2025, followed by all-out action in March.

From BBC