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Definitions

pave the way

VERB
break the ice
Synonyms
WEAK
be friendly and talkative break ground cut the first turf get one's feet wet lay the first stone lead off lead the way make a start oil the works open the way set at ease smooth the path socialize start start the ball rolling take the plunge
VERB
herald
Synonyms
STRONG
advertise announce ballyhoo broadcast declare foretoken harbinger indicate portend precede presage proclaim promise publicize publish show tout trumpet
WEAK
forerun preindicate usher in
Antonyms
STRONG
conceal deny hide keep secret secret
VERB
introduce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
announce offer open propose recommend submit suggest
STRONG
acquaint advance air broach familiarize harbinger herald moot originate precede preface usher ventilate
WEAK
bring out bring up come out with do the honors fix up get things rolling get-together give introduction kick off knock down lead into lead off open up put forward set forth spring with start ball rolling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal deny dissuade hide refuse withhold
STRONG
close close up end finish
WEAK
erase extract subtract take away
VERB
precede
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anticipate foreshadow predate presage
STRONG
antecede antedate guide harbinger head herald introduce lead outrank pace pioneer preexist preface rank scout time usher
WEAK
be ahead of come first forerun go before go in advance have a head start head up in space light the way ring in run ahead take precedence
Antonyms
STRONG
end finish follow obey
WEAK
go after
VERB
predate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anticipate foreshadow outrank presage
STRONG
antecede antedate guide harbinger head herald introduce lead pace pioneer preexist preface rank scout time usher
WEAK
be ahead of come first forerun go before go in advance have a head start head up in space light the way ring in run ahead take precedence
Antonyms
STRONG
end finish follow obey
VERB
ready
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrange brace equip fit fix gird provide warm up
STRONG
brief fortify get make order organize post prep set strengthen
WEAK
clear the decks fill in fit out gear up get ready get set keep posted let in on make ready make up psych up put on to wise up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disarrange disorganize
STRONG
disallow discourage disorder displace dissuade halt prevent weaken
WEAK
hold back retard slow
VERB
smooth
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate ease facilitate iron out mellow mitigate soften
STRONG
allay appease assuage calm comfort cool cool out extenuate mollify palliate pat stroke
WEAK
take the edge off take the sting out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate increase intensify irritate worsen
STRONG
agitate annoy exasperate incite provoke trouble upset worry
VERB
usher
Synonyms
STRONGEST
escort initiate precede steer
STRONG
conduct direct herald inaugurate institute introduce launch lead marshal originate pilot preface receive
WEAK
bring in open the door set up show around show in show out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
cease close end finish stop

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Big picture: Robust retail sales in the first three months of the year could pave the way for a rebound in gross domestic product in the first quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Anthropic announced a new update to its Claude artificial intelligence model on Thursday, which the tech startup expects will help pave the way for the eventual deployment of its powerful Mythos model.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Tom Greatrex, Nuclear Industry Association chief executive, said the move would pave the way for three small modular reactors – the UK's first – to be built at the site.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

That decision helped pave the way for Max.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

For his part, he did his best to pave the way for me.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo