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Some common synonyms of usher in<\/em> are begin<\/em><\/a>, commence<\/em><\/a>, inaugurate<\/em><\/a>, initiate<\/em><\/a>, and start<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to take the first step in a course, process, or operation,\" usher in<\/em> is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ ushered in<\/em> a period of economic decline<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is 'begin' related to other words for 'usher in'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Begin<\/em><\/a>, start<\/em><\/a>, and commence<\/em><\/a> are often interchangeable, with begin<\/em>, opposed to end<\/em>, being the most general.<\/p>

\/\/ begin<\/em> a trip<\/p>

\/\/ began<\/em> dancing<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'commence' relate to other synonyms for 'usher in'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Commence<\/em><\/a> can be more formal or bookish than begin<\/em><\/a> or start<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>

\/\/ commence<\/em> firing<\/p>

\/\/ commenced<\/em> a conversation<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'inaugurate' a more appropriate choice than 'usher in'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words inaugurate<\/em><\/a> and usher in<\/em> have much in common, inaugurate<\/em> suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.<\/p>

\/\/ the discovery of penicillin inaugurated<\/em> a new era in medicine<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'initiate' be used to replace 'usher in'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of initiate<\/em><\/a> and usher in<\/em> largely overlap; however, initiate<\/em> implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.<\/p>

\/\/ initiated<\/em> diplomatic contacts<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'start' be a better fit than 'usher in'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words start<\/em><\/a> and usher in<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start<\/em>, opposed to stop<\/em>, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.<\/p>

\/\/ the work started<\/em> slowly<\/p>" } } ] }

usher

verb

Definition of ushernext
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front ushered the job applicant into the room and then left

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word usher in different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of usher in are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and start. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

How is begin related to other words for usher in?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for usher in?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When is inaugurate a more appropriate choice than usher in?

Although the words inaugurate and usher in have much in common, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

When could initiate be used to replace usher in?

The meanings of initiate and usher in largely overlap; however, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

When might start be a better fit than usher in?

The words start and usher in are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of usher The only guards on duty today are hat-tipping doormen ushering guests into snow-white corridors lined with gold. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026 Another co-writer, Mark Sonnenblick, jumped up and down a few times to try to get the orchestra to stop, but the stage lights went down and everyone was ushered off-stage. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026 Katia Mann, the author’s wife, greeted them and ushered them into the study. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 Most of the presenters are also in and out of the room fairly quickly with their power publicists and agents ushering them along, but Bardem ventured into the auditorium to greet and chat with Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer. —ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for usher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usher
  1. steer
  2. guide
  3. accompany
  4. lead
Verb
  • Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience.
    — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Pemberton didn’t want the score to feel especially traditional or even particularly Earth-bound, which meant steering clear of the tropes of both orchestral and electronic music.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of steer
Verb
  • In Virginia’s legislature, patrons are responsible for introducing legislation and guiding it through the entire legislative process, including defending it on the floor if necessary.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Kennedy had fired all 17 original members of the ACIP, which is a committee of health experts that guides vaccine use for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, replacing them with members whom critics have called unqualified.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of guide
Verb
  • Under sunny skies, and accompanied by warm southerly winds of 5 to 10 mph, Austin’s daytime temperatures on Saturday could soar to 94 degrees, similar to the 97-degree reading last Sunday (a record for March 15).
    — Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Instead, there was a perceptible rise in militant attacks within Pakistan, accompanied by Kabul’s reluctance or inability to decisively act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
    — Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of accompany
Verb
  • On Wall Street, companies with big fuel bills that will benefit from any easing of oil prices led the market.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
  • During a recent visit to Moscow, a government delegation led by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a new deal with Russia to build two reactors at the Ninh Thuan project.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of lead

Browse Nearby Words

use up
usher
ushered
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Cite this Entry

“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of usher for Spanish Speakers

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