INAUGURATE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'inaugurate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin , commence , initiate , start , and usher in . While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. // the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Q: How does the word 'begin' relate to other synonyms for 'inaugurate'?

Begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable, with begin , opposed to end , being the most general. // begin a trip // began dancing

Q: How is 'commence' related to other words for 'inaugurate'?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start . // commence firing // commenced a conversation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'initiate' instead of 'inaugurate'?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue. // initiated diplomatic contacts

Q: Where would 'start' be a reasonable alternative to 'inaugurate'?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start , opposed to stop , applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. // the work started slowly

Q: How do 'usher in' and 'inaugurate' relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate . // ushered in a period of economic decline

inaugurate

verb

i-ˈnȯ-gyə-ˌrāt

Definition of inaugurate next

as in to establish

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to induct

to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies the president inaugurated the newest member of the club with a welcoming speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word inaugurate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of inaugurate are begin, commence, initiate, start, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

How does the word begin relate to other synonyms for inaugurate?

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

begin a trip

began dancing

How is commence related to other words for inaugurate?

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

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When is it sensible to use initiate instead of inaugurate?

The words initiate and inaugurate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

Where would start be a reasonable alternative to inaugurate?

In some situations, the words start and inaugurate are roughly equivalent. However, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How do usher in and inaugurate relate to one another?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples 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 inaugurate Indiana is perhaps best known for his true-crime trilogy inaugurated in the late 1990s—Resentment: A Comedy; Three Month Fever: The Andrew Cunanan Story; and Depraved Indifference—addressing the warped disregard for human life that characterized the turn of the millennium. —

News Desk, Artforum, 24 Oct. 2024 The contemporary art institution was inaugurated on Oct. 20, 1984, by then-French minister of culture Jack Lang. —

Lily Templeton, WWD, 18 Oct. 2024 The winner of the 2024 presidential election will be inaugurated at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, during the inauguration ceremony. —

Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 Continuing with this theme, the event was inaugurated by Amanda Mille and Tilly Harrison, Managing Director of Richard Mille Middle East and Turkey. —

Felicity Carter, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inaugurate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inaugurate

Verb

While Birnbaum’s playful take on Murakami’s prose established the hip, colloquial style the author is still mostly known for today, his translation of Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World cut about 100 pages from the Japanese text.

Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
Now, he’s established as one of the best goalies in college hockey, and his early-season run has backed that up.

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024