began

[bih-gan] / bɪˈgæn /

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start v.
come into being; become functional v.

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.

See Examples For:

began

"The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

The team, which is doubling in size, will bring Nike sportswear lifestyle lines to market in October, just six months after planning began.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

“We brought Nikki to where it all began, and she feels good in here,” Navarrette tells me with a hearty chuckle at the space that’s become a destination for “Obsession” obsessives.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

To recreate the extinct antimicrobial peptide, Sil began by comparing lactoferrin gene sequences from living species such as humans and cows.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

I began to give up all hope of seeing him again.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo