usher

verb

Definition of ushernext
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

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 usher The merger will bring snow from upstate New York to interior New England on Monday before colder and drier air will be ushered into the entire region behind a cold front, Kong said. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025 At the hospital, Yoko was ushered into a private room down the hall from the trauma room to wait while doctors attempted to resuscitate John. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 He was ushered into a back office where he was caught on video released by the NYPD giving the funeral director a fist bump before sitting across a desk from him. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 We should have been ushered to our seats and handed a welcome drink. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for usher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usher
  1. steer
  2. guide
  3. lead
  4. accompany
Verb
  • The relocation will steer the festival toward a new era.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In 1942, current Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) grandfather, William Newsom, steered Pat Brown’s campaign for district attorney.
    — Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of steer
Verb
  • Artists need to be prioritized, supported and guided.
    — Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Revenues were guided to flat to slightly up for 2025.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of guide
Verb
  • The Miami Heat enters an important game in Chicago with its leading trio will be available for the first time in nearly two weeks..
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez also stepped up for UCLA as their leading scorer with 18 points, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
    — Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of lead
Verb
  • Fascination has accompanied each of Altuve’s first six starts in left field.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The fact sheet accompanying the order is wide-ranging: a policy aimed at correcting global imbalances, restoring manufacturing, reshoring supply chains, confronting non-market economies, and ensuring the defense industrial base is no longer dependent on foreign adversaries.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of accompany

Browse Nearby Words

use up
usher
ushered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of usher for Spanish Speakers

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