Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for initiate

initiate

[ verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt ]

verb (used with object)

initiated, initiating.
  1. to begin, set going, or originate:

    to initiate major social reforms.

    Synonyms: open, inaugurate, introduce, commence

    Antonyms: conclude

  2. to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

    Synonyms: train, indoctrinate, instruct, teach

  3. to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.
  4. Government. to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure:

    to initiate a constitutional amendment.



adjective

  1. admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.
  2. introduced to the knowledge of a subject.
  3. initiated; begun:

    the recently initiate measures.

noun

  1. a person who has been initiated.

initiate

verb

  1. to begin or originate
  2. to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies
  3. to teach fundamentals to

    she initiated him into the ballet

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. initiated; begun
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who has been initiated, esp recently
  2. a beginner; novice
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Words From

  • in·i·ti·a·tor noun
  • non·in·i·ti·ate noun
  • pre·in·i·ti·ate verb (used with object) preinitiated preinitiating
  • pre·in·i·ti·ate noun
  • re·in·i·ti·ate verb (used with object) reinitiated reinitiating
  • un·in·i·ti·ate adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin initiātus, past participle of initiāre “to ritually initiate, admit,” equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” + -ātus past participle suffix; initial, -ate 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of initiate1

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial
Discover More

Synonym Study

See begin.
Discover More

Example Sentences

He said he'd bring costs down with "drill, baby, drill" and would initiate the usual GOP roll back of regulations and tax cuts.

From Salon

Many appointments are initiated through a phone message line.

New members decked out in white robes and hoods were there to be initiated, but it was also a celebration, complete with a marching band.

JPMorgan Chase initiated several rounds of layoffs, while Amazon, Blue Origin, Meta and Chevron are among the companies planning to lay off thousands of workers.

From Salon

US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky have entered a war of words after the US leader initiated talks with Russia about ending the conflict, but did not include Ukraine.

From BBC

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Initial Teaching Alphabetinitiated