51Թ

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View synonyms for

initiative

[ih-nish-uh-tiv, ih-nish-ee-uh-]

noun

  1. an introductory act or step; leading action.

    to take the initiative in making friends.

  2. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise.

    to lack initiative.

    Synonyms: , ,
  3. one's personal, responsible decision.

    to act on one's own initiative.

  4. Government.

    1. a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute, constitutional amendment, or ordinance, and compel a popular vote on its adoption.

    2. the general right or ability to present a new bill or measure, as in a legislature.



adjective

  1. of or relating to formal admission or acceptance into a club or other group; signifying an initiation.

    The secret society's initiative events are best left undescribed.

  2. serving to set in motion or initiate; introductory; beginning.

    Initiative steps were taken to stop manufacture of the drug.

initiative

/ -ˈnɪʃətɪv, ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv /

noun

  1. the first step or action of a matter; commencing move

    he took the initiative

    a peace initiative

  2. the right or power to begin or initiate something

    he has the initiative

  3. the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something

  4. government

    1. the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body

    2. the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland

  5. without being prompted

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • initiatively adverb
  • self-initiative noun
  • superinitiative noun
  • uninitiative adjective
  • ˈپپ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of initiative1

First recorded in 1785–95; initiate + -ive
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Idioms and Phrases

see on one's own account (initiative); take the initiative.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Scottish government points to a range of initiatives it has launched in recent years to tackle household waste and create a more "circular" economy, where material are reused over and over.

From

In times of economic vendor hardship such as rainy seasons or emergencies like January’s fires, the nonprofit launched a “vendor buy-out” initiative to help sustain them.

From

Sequeira reports for The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5.

From

The initiative appeared to be designed to bypass the UN as the major provider.

From

"I think that deliberation, whether spread broadly in the schools or before national elections, before referendums, before initiatives, could become part of everyday life."

From

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