initiate

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

/ verb ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; adjective, noun ɪˈnɪʃ i ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: initiate / initiated / initiates / initiating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing.

to begin, set going, or originate: to initiate major social reforms.

to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.

Government. to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure: to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.

introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

initiated; begun: the recently initiate measures.

noun

a person who has been initiated.

OTHER WORDS FOR initiate

1 commence; introduce, inaugurate, open.

2 teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.

See synonyms for initiate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR initiate

1 conclude.

See antonyms for initiate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of initiate

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; see initial,-ate¹

synonym study for initiate

1. See begin.

OTHER WORDS FROM initiate

in·i·ti·a·tor, nounnon·in·i·ti·ate, nounpre·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), pre·in·i·ti·at·ed, pre·in·i·ti·at·ing.pre·in·i·ti·ate, noun

re·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), re·in·i·ti·at·ed, re·in·i·ti·at·ing.un·in·i·ti·ate, adjective

Words nearby initiate

initialism, initialize, initially, initial rhyme, Initial Teaching Alphabet, initiate, initiated, initiating agent, initiation, initiation factor, initiative

How to use initiate in a sentence

You’ll find ice climbing for the well-initiated, or you can cross-country ski on the unplowed roads throughout the park.
4 Awesome Winter Road Trips to National Parks|Megan Michelson|February 11, 2021|Outside Online
As the head of his department, Salerno had the authority to initiate a purchase like the $7,000 badge, according to Moor.
How the Police Bank Millions Through Their Union Contracts|by Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press, and Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
Over several weeks, police say, 30 men initiated “explicit conversations” and sought to meet for sex.
With children stuck at home during coronavirus shutdowns, online sexual predators can swoop in|Dan Morse|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
We’ve seen a lot of market manipulation over the past couple of weeks, a lot of it initiated by Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum.
How the government might react to GameStop|Felix Salmon|February 5, 2021|Axios

Voice calls are used to initiate most processes, whether it’s to obtain critical information, follow up on a form or previous communication, or pass on some data, or of course provide clearance for a payment.
Infinitus emerges from stealth with $21.4M for ‘voice RPA’ aimed at healthcare companies|Ingrid Lunden|February 4, 2021|TechCrunch
The feminist movement has encouraged women that they can initiate romantic relationships, too.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating|Ellie Schaack|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology,” he wrote.
Tesla’s Radical Patent Move is a Plot to Take Over the Road|Daniel Gross|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Men need to step up and have this discussion, and not rely on women to initiate and lead it.
#YesAllWomen Should Have the Church On Their Side|Gene Robinson|June 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Initiate a dialogue about how we are all kind of like little people, if you think about it, at least compared to the One Percent.
How to Celebrate 4/20 Without Actually Smoking Weed|Kelly Williams Brown|April 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They can initiate ideas and catalyze a certain form, but the trick is not to begin, but to sustain.
Chang-rae Lee: How I Write|Noah Charney|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ant individual preserves its powers of observation and thought and may initiate new processes.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
In order that you may make no mistake, we feel obliged to initiate you into the most important secrets of the Reformation.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
The very savages in Australia initiate their children better than the English do to-day.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
The Senate, however, cannot initiate a treaty, the President alone can do that.
Ethics in Service|William Howard Taft
So far, then, nothing was said to the initiate in contradiction to the broad tenets of orthodox Islamism.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

initiate

verb (ɪˈnɪʃɪˌeɪt) (tr)

to begin or originate

to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies

to teach fundamentals toshe initiated him into the ballet

adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

initiated; begun

noun (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

a person who has been initiated, esp recently

a beginner; novice

Word Origin for initiate

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

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

initiate

OTHER WORDS FOR initiate

OPPOSITES FOR initiate

Origin of initiate

synonym study for initiate

OTHER WORDS FROM initiate

Words nearby initiate

Words related to initiate

How to use initiate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

Word Origin for initiate