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 world's changed a lot since Seán McLoughlin, better known to 31 million subscribers as Jacksepticeye, began making YouTube videos.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Policymakers began a historic tightening campaign, lifting its benchmark rate from negative territory in mid-2022 to a record four percent in late 2023.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Knowing when major periods of glaciation began, how long they lasted, and when the ice retreated is essential for reconstructing the planet's natural climate cycles.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

In November 2023, the economy began producing a steady diet of largely sub-100,000 new monthly job readings out of the private sector that persist to this day.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

In his distraction, the ground began to slip away again, Progress trying to drag him toward its open heart.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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