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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beginning
New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Flu vaccination rates have declined since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, as antivaccination sentiment has gained a stronghold.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
But fans had been mourning the loss of the cheeky, friendly kid from the beginning days of the band for years.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
Quarterfinal Preview Big Ten rematch The CFP quarterfinals will return to traditional bowl sites, beginning on New Year’s Eve.
—Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Noun
In fact, most viewers are likely to pick what's going on from the very beginning – but that doesn't hurt this show at all.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025
Flu vaccination rates have declined since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, as antivaccination sentiment has gained a stronghold.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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
But fans had been mourning the loss of the cheeky, friendly kid from the beginning days of the band for years.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
An analysis by the higher education consulting firm Ruffalo Noel Levitz, using the latest available census figures, now projects another drop in the number of 18-year-olds beginning in 2033, after a brief uptick.
—Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
Quarterfinal Preview Big Ten rematch The CFP quarterfinals will return to traditional bowl sites, beginning on New Year’s Eve.
—Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beginning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beginning
Noun
-
Banks, who has played in 44 games the last three years with 43 starts, has a history with McDaniel.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Norris is a one-lap specialist who struggles with starts and lacks the killer instinct to challenge Verstappen.—
Rob Reed,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This method can temporarily manage symptoms or serve as a preparatory step before a more comprehensive surgical procedure.11 2.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
-
But this time measures like the travel ban were replaced by more methodical reviews and preparatory actions that could serve as the precursors to such policies while putting them on more solid legal footing.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
The New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Del Rey’s introductory full-length pushes five spots on the Official Albums chart, up to No. 55.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The pair re-teamed at the Academy Awards the following year for the broadcast’s introductory sketch, which featured Palance dragging a giant Oscar statue onstage, with Crystal (again the host) riding it.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
2 Mar. 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
-
Abigail Stuart, founding partner of Day One Strategy, with 20+ years in brand and market research, drives innovation and champions AI.—
Abigail Stuart,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Inspired by real events, the film is described as an epic fable about the founding leader of the Shaker Movement.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This program has provided life-saving HIV/AIDS care to low-income countries since 2003, and has saved more than 26 million lives since its inception.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Over the past nearly 20 years since its inception, BlizzCon has inspired us to innovate, push the boundaries of creativity, and deliver once-in-a-lifetime moments.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Judge Alsup in federal district court issues preliminary injunction on Trump's firing of federal workers in probationary periods.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
More than two mayoral candidates would trigger a preliminary election, on Sept. 9, to whittle down the field to two finalists for the Nov. 4 general election.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In a separate statement, Keller’s board of trustees thanked Johnson for her fiscal leadership and for her leadership in implementing a student cell phone ban during school hours as well as bringing armed security to elementary and intermediate campuses.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Interestingly, many of the elementary schools built here from 1886-1891 were named for poets, including John Greenleaf Whittier.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beginning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beginning. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share