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Definitions

point of departure

NOUN
beginning
Synonyms
STRONGEST
birth creation dawn inauguration inception introduction onset opening outset starting point top
STRONG
alpha basis blastoff commencement dawning genesis induction infancy initiation installation kickoff opener origin origination preface prelude presentation rise root rudiment source spring takeoff threshold
WEAK
day one square one
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conclusion death end ending finish
STRONG
close completion effect epilogue finale result termination
WEAK
consummation goal outcome
NOUN
incipience
Synonyms
STRONG
alpha basis birth blastoff commencement creation dawn dawning genesis inauguration inception incipiency induction infancy initiation installation introduction kickoff launch onset opener opening origin origination outset preface prelude presentation rise root rudiment source spring start takeoff threshold top
WEAK
day one leadoff square one starting point
Antonyms
STRONG
close completion conclusion death effect end ending epilogue finale finish result stop termination
NOUN
incipiency
Synonyms
STRONG
alpha basis birth blastoff commencement creation dawn dawning genesis inauguration inception incipience induction infancy initiation installation introduction kickoff launch onset opener opening origin origination outset preface prelude presentation rise root rudiment source spring start takeoff threshold top
WEAK
day one leadoff square one starting point
Antonyms
STRONG
close completion conclusion death effect end ending epilogue finale finish result stop termination
NOUN
issue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affair argument concern controversy matter point problem question subject topic
STRONG
contention puzzle
WEAK
matter of contention
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreement harmony
WEAK
cause origin parent source
NOUN
leadoff
Synonyms
WEAK
alpha basis birth blastoff commencement creation dawn dawning day one genesis inauguration inception incipience incipiency induction infancy initiation installation introduction kickoff launch onset opener opening origin origination outset preface prelude presentation rise root rudiment source spring square one start starting point takeoff threshold top
NOUN
threshold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brink verge
STRONG
dawn door doorstep doorway edge entrance gate inception origin outset point sill start vestibule
WEAK
starting point
Antonyms
STRONGEST
middle
STRONG
completion conclusion death disadvantage end ending finish

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.

One final point of departure for Papic: he disagrees vehemently with the notion that the intervention in Venezuela is bearish for oil prices.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 13, 2026

Let’s finally acknowledge how much we don’t know, and from that new point of departure, do everything we can to save our home.

From Salon • May 1, 2025

Long seen as a point of departure, Anacortes nails the working wharf vibe for all to discover, with no ferry lines required.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 6, 2023

The choreography had a certain angle, a certain point of departure — even a certain splashiness — but it remained less than memorable.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2023

As an afterthought, he added, “I think,” above the page, as if to signal his last point of departure from the mainlands of biological and theological thought.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee