verb
1.
to carry out the first act or step of an action or operation
began his lecture with a joke
Synonyms: commence, embark (on or upon), enter, get off, inaugurate, initiate, jump (off), kick off, launch, lead off, open, set to, start, take up, tee off
Related Word: establish, found, institute; introduce, usher in; broach; attack, tackle; prepare; break in; dig in
Idioms: get the show on the road, get to work, get underway
Contrasted words: cease, desist, discontinue, quit, stop; close, complete, conclude, finish, terminate; abandon, forsake, leave, quit; back out, renege, withdraw
Antonyms: end
2.
to come into existence
not since civilization began has there been such distress
Synonyms: arise, commence, originate, start; compare spring 1
Related Word: spring; open
Idioms: raise its head
Contrasted words: end, finish, terminate