The verb “embark” generally means to begin a journey or to start a new and often challenging or important activity. Here are some synonyms and an analysis of each:
1. Commence
- “Commence” means to begin or start. For example, “The students will commence their research projects next week.” It is a more formal way of saying “start” and is similar to “embark” in the sense that it implies the initiation of an activity. However, “commence” is a more general term and doesn't carry the specific connotation of a journey or a significant adventure that “embark” often has. When you embark on something, there's a sense of setting out on a path, like a voyage or a major undertaking.
2. Begin
- “Begin” is the most basic and common synonym for “embark.” For example, “She will begin her new job next month.” It simply means to start or to get going. The difference between “begin” and “embark” is that “embark” usually implies a more purposeful or momentous start, especially when it comes to new enterprises or travels. “Begin” can be used for any kind of starting point, from a simple daily task to a major project.
3. Initiate
- “Initiate” means to cause something to begin or to set in motion. For example, “The company will initiate a new marketing campaign.” It emphasizes the role of the person or entity in starting something. Similar to “embark,” it implies taking the first step, but “initiate” can also suggest a sense of responsibility for getting the process going. When you embark on a journey or a project, you are also taking the initiative to start it, but “initiate” doesn't have the travel - related or adventure - like implications that “embark” can have.
4. Set out
- “Set out” means to start a journey or to begin an activity with a clear intention. For example, “The explorers set out to discover the source of the river.” This is very close in meaning to “embark” as it emphasizes the act of starting a trip or a mission. The difference is that “set out” might be more focused on the physical act of leaving or starting the actual journey, while “embark” can have a broader meaning that includes the mental and emotional preparation for a new endeavor as well.
5. Launch
- “Launch” means to start something in a more forceful or high - profile way. For example, “The company launched a new product line.” It implies a sense of energy and a significant start, often with a lot of preparation and publicity. When compared to “embark,” “launch” is more about the big - bang start of a project, product, or campaign. “Embark” can be used for more personal or less - public undertakings, such as embarking on a self - improvement journey or a personal adventure.