USHER Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

usher

verb

Definition of usher

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

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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 There are different variations that include private or group tours of all or some of the houses, and your guide will usher you straight to the entrance of each house. — Tarah Chieffi, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Like so many others, Durant believes that collection of American stars ushered the game into a new era. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Soon enough, staff began ushering and, with increasing urgency, encouraging everyone to take their seats in the adjoining show space. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026 Most returned to Morocco or were ushered back over the border within days, but around 5,000, including 1,200 minors, remain in the city weeks later, according to the national government. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for usher

Recent Examples of Synonyms for usher

Verb

Beijing has also steered state banks to provide financing to priority industries like electric vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
While the system can accelerate, brake and steer, the human driver must supervise it at all times and remains responsible.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of steer

Verb

Celebrity guests accompany the contestants, ideally helping and not hindering them, to an all-or-nothing final, where one test decides everything, including the true identity of the player.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
According to this order, the prisoner is informed of the president's decision in person by the commandant, who is accompanied by a chaplain and, if available, a defense attorney.

— Meagan Harris, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of accompany

Verb

Fitting that there are dinosaur replicas towering over the lobby that leads straight through the building.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
The round was led by Freedom Fund and an international growth equity investor, with participation from Gardar, Iron Wolf and Autonomy Capital.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of lead

Browse Nearby Words

use up

usher

ushered

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“Usher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usher. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of usher

verb

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