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initiative

/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/noun, adjective4 syllables

Initiative means: serving to set in motion.

Synonyms for initiative10

noun, as in readiness to embark on bold new ventures

enterprise, enterprisingness, go-ahead

noun, as in the first of a series of actions

first step, opening move, opening

adjective, as in serving to set in motion

inaugural, initiatory, first, maiden, opening

What does initiative mean?3

adjective

1

serving to set in motion“the magazine's inaugural issue”

noun

1

readiness to embark on bold new ventures

2

the first of a series of actions

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Initiative in a sentence

  • You're not showing any initiative, just get going!LoverofEnglish
  • He is quite good at his job, but lacks initiative.CM
  • I'm asking you, the one who promoted this initiative.marcelostockle
  • Freedom demands initiative, courage, the need to decide what life must mean to oneself.Hybrid
  • In situations like this, it's best to take the initiative.felidad
  • The initiative was launched under the auspices of a dedicated group of volunteers.always
  • The city took the initiative in the pollution suit.unknown
  • Thanks to his initiative this association has been formed.unknown

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of initiative

as a noun

plural
initiatives