Initiate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adjective /i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt/ (verb) /i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət/ (noun) ini·ti·ate

Meaning & Definition of Initiate

Initiate (verb)

  1. to cause or facilitate the beginning of, set going
  2. to induct into membership by or as if by special rites
  3. to instruct in the rudiments or principles of something, introduce

Initiate (noun)

  1. a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation
  2. a person who is instructed or adept in some special field

Initiate (adjective)

  1. initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)
  2. instructed in some secret knowledge
  3. relating to an initiate

Initiate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

    "no one knows who initiated written language"

    similar: begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, plant, set up, start
    related: author, father, originate, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up), construct, put up, develop, enlarge, expand, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, arrange, organize, systematize, systemize, refound, reinitiate, reinstitute, relaunch
    opposite: close (down), phase out, shut (up)
    near: abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify, end, finish, halt, stop, terminate, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

  2. to impart knowledge of a new thing or situation to

    "initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct"

    similar: accustom, acquaint, familiarize, introduce, orient, orientate
    related: habituate, wont, apprise, brief, clue (in), fill in, inform, educate, enlighten, ground, instruct, school, train, verse, expose, present, subject, advise, tell, tip (off), warn, wise (up), reacquaint

  3. to put into an office or welcome into an organization with special ceremonies

    "initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers"

    similar: baptize, inaugurate, induct, install, instate, invest, seat
    related: swear in, consecrate, enshrine, accept, admit, receive, take in, enlist, enroll
    near: can, discharge, fire, terminate, muster out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Initiate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Initiate:

begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, plant, set up, start, accustom, acquaint, familiarize, orient, orientate, baptize, induct, install, instate, invest, seat

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Initiate

Words with the opposite meaning of Initiate:

close (down), phase out, shut (up)

Related Words for Initiate

author, father, originate, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up), construct, put up, develop, enlarge, expand, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, arrange, organize, systematize, systemize, refound, reinitiate

Near Antonyms of Initiate

abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify, end, finish, halt, stop, terminate, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up, can, discharge, fire, muster out

Word Forms of Initiate

Inflections: initiated, initiating

Derived words: initiator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Initiate

Late Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, from Latin, to induct, from initium

First known use: 1533

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Initiate

Words & Phrases Containing Initiate

reinitiate, file/initiate a lawsuit

Frequently Asked Questions about Initiate

What does "Initiate" mean?

"Initiate" means to cause or facilitate the beginning of, set going. As an a verb, a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: to cause or facilitate the beginning of, set going. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Initiate"?

Other words for "Initiate" include begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, innovate, institute and introduce. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Initiate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Initiate"?

There are 88 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Initiate". Common alternatives include begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch and pioneer.

What is the opposite of "Initiate"?

Antonyms of "Initiate" include close (down), phase out and shut (up). Near antonyms include abolish, annihilate, annul and nullify.

How do you use "Initiate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Initiate" in a sentence: "no one knows who initiated written language"; "initiated the new recruits in the unspoken laws of military conduct"; "initiated her as Surgeon General before an army of reporters and photographers".

Is "Initiate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Initiate" can be used as a verb, a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Initiate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Initiate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Initiate"?

"Initiate" is pronounced /i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt/ as a verb and /i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ət/ as a noun and divided into syllables as ini·ti·ate.