INITIATIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for INITIATIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “initiative”? Find 31 synonyms and 30 related words for “initiative” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Initiative” are: enterprise, enterprisingness, go-ahead, first step, opening, opening move, inventiveness, resourcefulness, capability, advantage, upper hand, edge, lead, whip hand, trump card, plan, scheme, strategy, stratagem, measure, technique, proposal, step, action, act, manoeuvre, gambit, first, inaugural, initiatory, maiden

Initiative as a Noun

Definitions of "Initiative" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “initiative” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A proposal made by one nation to another in an attempt to improve relations.
• The power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
• The first of a series of actions.
• The ability to assess and initiate things independently.
• An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.
• Readiness to embark on bold new ventures.
• (especially in Switzerland and some US states) the right of citizens outside the legislature to originate legislation.

Synonyms of "Initiative" as a noun (27 Words)

act	A document attesting a legal transaction. He did his act three times every evening.
action	Legal proceedings; a lawsuit. His novels always have a lot of action.
advantage	A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favourable or superior position. You could learn something to your advantage.
capability	A facility on a computer for performing a specified task. A graphics capability.
edge	A slight competitive advantage. A flamenco singer brings a primitive edge to the music.
enterprise	Entrepreneurial economic activity. Local enterprise agencies.
enterprisingness	Readiness to embark on bold new ventures.
first step	The time at which something is supposed to begin.
gambit	An act or remark that is calculated to gain an advantage, especially at the outset of a situation. His resignation was a tactical gambit.
go-ahead	Readiness to embark on bold new ventures.
inventiveness	The quality of being inventive; creativity. The inventiveness of the staging.
lead	A position of leadership especially in the phrase take the lead. The police are following a promising lead.
manoeuvre	A military training exercise. The economic policy provided no room for manoeuvre.
measure	Measuring instrument having a sequence of marks at regular intervals used as a reference in making measurements. The measurements were carefully done.
opening	The act of opening something. The opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for.
opening move	An aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity.
plan	A drawing or diagram made by projection on a horizontal plane especially one showing the layout of a building or one floor of a building. A street plan.
proposal	The act of making a proposal. A set of proposals for a major new high speed rail link.
resourcefulness	The quality of being able to cope with a difficult situation. His films show remarkable technical resourcefulness.
scheme	A particular ordered system or arrangement. The occupational sick pay scheme.
step	The sound of a step of someone walking. The government must take steps to discourage age discrimination.
stratagem	A maneuver in a game or conversation. A series of devious stratagems.
strategy	A plan for directing overall military operations and movements. Shifts in marketing strategy.
technique	A practical method or art applied to some particular task. An established athlete with a very good technique.
trump card	Thin cardboard, usually rectangular.
upper hand	Piece of leather or synthetic material that forms the part of a shoe or boot above the sole that encases the foot.
whip hand	A legislator appointed by the party to enforce discipline.

Usage Examples of "Initiative" as a noun

• A Middle East peace initiative.
• Anti-hunting groups have seized the initiative in the dispute.
• A new initiative against car crime.
• Use your initiative, imagination, and common sense.

Initiative as an Adjective

Definitions of "Initiative" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “initiative” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Serving to set in motion.

Synonyms of "Initiative" as an adjective (4 Words)

first	Serving to begin. Her first baby.
inaugural	Marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office. The magazine s inaugural issue.
initiatory	Serving to set in motion. An initiatory step toward a treaty.
maiden	(of a female animal) not having mated. The liner s maiden voyage.

Usage Examples of "Initiative" as an adjective

• The initiative phase in the negotiations.

Associations of "Initiative" (30 Words)

afresh	Again but in a new or different way. Start afresh.
begin	Begin to speak or say. The semester begins with a convocation ceremony.
beginning	The place where something begins, where it springs into being. The ending of one relationship and the beginning of another.
coming	The temporal property of becoming nearer in time. The coming of a new age.
commence	Set in motion, cause to start. A public inquiry is due to commence on the 16th.
create	Create or manufacture a man made product. Picasso created Cubism.
creation	An artifact that has been brought into existence by someone. Creation of a coalition government.
creative	A person whose job involves creative work. The most important people in the mix will be creatives and direct marketing specialists.
creatively	In a creative manner. This article inspires you to think creatively.
creativeness	The ability to create.
creativity	The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. Firms are keen to encourage creativity.
first	The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield counting counterclockwise from home plate. His first or maiden speech in Congress.
frontiersman	A man who lives on the frontier.
genesis	The origin or mode of formation of something. This tale had its genesis in fireside stories.
germinal	In the earliest stage of development. De Beauvoir s germinal book The Second Sex.
inaugural	An inaugural speech especially one made by an incoming US president. President Clinton s inaugural.
inaugurate	Commence officially. He inaugurated a new policy of trade and exploration.
incipient	(of a person) developing into a specified type or role. He could feel incipient anger building up.
independent	An independent political candidate. One of the few independents left in the music business.
innovate	Make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. We continue to innovate new products.
intro	A brief introductory passage to a piece of popular music.
introduce	Introduce. Introduce the new neighbors to the community.
inventive	(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action. Inventive ceramics.
launch	An act or instance of launching something. Launch the space shuttle.
mount	A mounting consisting of a piece of metal as in a ring or other jewelry that holds a gem in place. Police mounted a reconstruction of what they believe happened before the explosion.
new	Beginning anew and in a transformed way. My new car is four years old but has only 15 000 miles on it.
novelty	Cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing. In 1914 air travel was still a novelty.
originate	Have a specified beginning. The word originated as a marketing term.
start	A turn to be a starter in a game at the beginning. I m starting a campaign to get the law changed.
starting	Bulging or protruding as with fear. His starting meant that the coach thought he was one of their best linemen.