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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use initiate in a sentence

The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.
New Year’s Eve, Babylon Style|Candida Moss|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the professional initiates these relationships, and the business should not request or expect it.
Rich People Want You to Work for Free|Ted Gioia|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pamela is the one who ultimately initiates sex; Louie follows her lead.
Why I Fell in Love With ‘Louie’ Again, Artistic Pretensions and All|Andrew Romano|June 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1983, Gaddafi initiates work on the Great Manmade River, a network of wells and pipelines for water.
Muammar Gaddafi's 25 Strangest Moments|David A. Graham|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST

There must have been literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of initiates, across the millennium of classical history.
The Best of Brit Lit|Peter Stothard|May 27, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The President initiates a treaty and the Senate confirms it.
Ethics in Service|William Howard Taft
The one whose duty it was to officiate at the reception of initiates stood in the center.
The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2|Eugne Sue
The warrior initiates, whereas the legislator completes the organization of society.
Elements of Folk Psychology|Wilhelm Wundt
This was, likely, secretly taught by word of mouth as Qabbalah or Oral Tradition to the initiates, and was never put into writing.
Scarabs|Isaac Myer
Within the medicine lodge, Murray was instructing the chosen initiates in some sort of mystic rites.
South from Hudson Bay|E. C. [Ethel Claire] Brill

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 related to initiate

How to use initiate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

Word Origin for initiate