began

[bih-gan] / bɪˈgæn /

Jump To:

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

Jurors deliberated for just under four hours before delivering a majority verdict at the end of a trial which began two weeks ago.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

At a company that he envisioned as a cross between Bell Labs and the Manhattan Project, the research began by teaching AI to play Pong.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

City Council in 2018 and construction began in 2019, with a targeted completion date of 2023.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

South Korean authorities began a new attempt Wednesday to coax a shark-turned-viral sensation back to sea, with falling temperatures in the Busan canal where it is stranded raising concerns for its survival.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

Cocky leaned down and began gathering up the broken bits of cup.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word