as in start
the point at which something begins
the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in introductory
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commencing
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
she began walking to work for exercise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in starting
to come into existence
the storm began late in the day and lasted all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in founding
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
the religious sect was begun by a small breakaway faction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beginning
Malana Vantyle, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Pub Hikes, Bloody Mary Bingo, and mixology classes, plus s’mores around the campfire and themed dinners are just the beginning of the weekend’s endless dining options.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
Barak Ravid, Axios, 7 Dec. 2024
Three ounces of seed will cover 400 square feet, a nice start to a beginning habitat garden.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
The four annual events are just the beginning of Freelancers Unplugged’s grander vision.
—Malana Vantyle, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Pub Hikes, Bloody Mary Bingo, and mixology classes, plus s’mores around the campfire and themed dinners are just the beginning of the weekend’s endless dining options.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
Adjective
One source said that at the beginning Trump was reluctant to hold the meeting, but eventually agreed.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 7 Dec. 2024
Three ounces of seed will cover 400 square feet, a nice start to a beginning habitat garden.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
In the United States, many of the referees are beginning to fall in line.
—Julia Angwin, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Perhaps an underrated aspect of the strong start is the pitching, which appeared to be a big question in the final two-plus weeks of spring training after Gerrit Cole was lost for the season due to the dreaded Tommy John surgery on his elbow.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Foundation director resigns over neutrality The foundation is off to a rocky start.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Pade paints directly onto the canvas without a preparatory drawing, often smudging areas of the canvas with a cloth at the end of a day in her Paris studio.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
The Club World Cup then starts on June 14, while some teams are likely to organise preparatory exhibition games ahead of the competition.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Students begin with three introductory modules, all available online now, then select an FSF discipline: design and product development, merchandising, marketing, or business strategy.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
28 May 2025
-
From that ugly introductory victory, the film goes on to portray the remaining 15-odd years in Magellan’s ever-loftier, ever-hungrier career, though Diaz isn’t massively hung up on historical dates and particulars.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The New Year is starting with a fresh warning for those who work with animals in Texas.—
Li Cohen,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Murphy is term-limited, so the open-seat contest has attracted a cornucopia of candidates, starting with a crowded field of Democratic aspirants.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Since founding the lifestyle brand Simplified in 2008, the mother of three has amassed over 30,000 followers on Substack and nearly 300,000 on Instagram.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And since its inception, the CDF has made significant investments in cinema through a portfolio of $234 million.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
19 May 2025
-
Since its inception, NASA has selected 61 women as astronaut candidates, many of them making groundbreaking contributions to space science and exploration.—
Betsy Pudliner,
The Conversation,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the unidentified teen was handling a gun while recording her social media video when the firearm went off and struck her in the upper body.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
Investigators at the time said preliminary evidence suggested a murder-suicide — an outcome their family members refused to believe.—
Javon Huynh,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Beyond elementary and secondary education, Dysolve is gaining traction among adults facing literacy challenges, college students, and even individuals in their eighties.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
Last August, the Connecticut State Board of Education approved voluntary guidelines for districts to create their own cellphone policies and recommended restrictions removing cellphones from all elementary and middle school classrooms.—
Nate Iglehart,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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