initiative

noun

i-ˈni-shə-tiv How to pronounce initiative (audio)
Definition of initiativenext
as in ambition
readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity the sentry showed remarkable initiative and uncommon bravery in foiling the terrorist attack

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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 initiative The leader of the competing initiative was not more technically competent. — Aurelien Mangano, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Abdullah Shihipar directs narrative projects and policy impact initiatives at the People, Place, and Health Collective at the Brown University School of Public Health. — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 More companies will launch pilots, labs, and strategic initiatives. — Jeff Degraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The money was part of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, a long-standing initiative aimed at desegregating public schools and expanding school choice. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for initiative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for initiative
  1. ambition
  2. action
  3. enterprise
Noun
  • The group tied David Ellison’s merger ambitions to his billionaire father’s expansive network of businesses, which now include TikTok.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Near term, political pushback against data centers is a bigger risk for GEV than Musk's ambitions.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ambition
Noun
  • Other than Bessent’s comments, there few details on specific actions, said Jodie Wen, postdoctoral fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), Tsinghua University.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • His frantic paranoia makes the scene genuinely hard to read and sets the stage for his horrifying actions during the climax.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of action
Noun
  • Still, there’s a kind of hip, comfort food aspect to the entire enterprise that keeps it an easy, if slightly cluttered and overlong watch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The enterprise software platform's stock popped 3%, heading for a second straight winning day.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of enterprise

Phrases Containing initiative

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initiative
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Cite this Entry

“Initiative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initiative. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on initiative

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about initiative

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