Initiate

Quick meaning: Initiate is a verb meaning (transitive) To begin; to start.

Meaning

(transitive) To begin; to start.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.
2. (transitive) To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.
3. (intransitive) To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.
4. A new member of an organization.
5. One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.
6. One who is oriented in and familiar with a topic or subject; especially, one who is an expert in it.
7. (obsolete) Unpracticed, untried, new.

Example Sentences

How are changes of this sort to be initiated?

This is a very strong move, aptly timed. It initiates the tactical conception which routs Black's hopes.

Divine Providence would only initiate and enter mankind into the useful knowledge of her, leaving the rest to employ our industry.

A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.

Word Forms

• initiates
• initiating
• initiated

Synonyms for initiate

Depending on context, synonyms include commence, institute, enlightened, novice, tyro, induct.

Antonyms for initiate

Common opposites include pause, halt, suspend, discontinue, finish, conclude.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include induct, originate, experienced, start, pioneer, enlightened.

Commonly Confused & Compared Words

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