Antonyms for initiative

Grammar : Noun

Spell : ih-nish-ee-uh-tiv, ih-nish-uh-

Phonetic Transcription : ɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv, ɪˈnɪʃ ə-

Definition of initiative

Origin : 1793, "that which begins," also "power of initiating," from French initiative (1560s), from Latin initiatus (see initiation). First attested in English in writings of William Godwin. Phrase take the initiative recorded by 1844.

noun eagerness to do something

Example sentences :

It inspires the initiative that makes our productivity the wonder of the world.
Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

Kingozi concluded that she wished the initiative to come from him.
Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White

But he was not going to risk a wound to his vanity by taking the initiative too earnestly.
Extract from : « Roden's Corner » by Henry Seton Merriman

Mrs. Shelley, then, had the wit to guess where the initiative lay.
Extract from : « The Education of Eric Lane » by Stephen McKenna

Nelthorp had already vanished completely on his own initiative.
Extract from : « The Historical Nights' Entertainment » by Rafael Sabatini

But does not Mrs. Theobald always take any initiative from you?
Extract from : « Where Angels Fear to Tread » by E. M. Forster

There was a moment's pause, and then the barbarians, taking the initiative, charged.
Extract from : « Hellenica » by Xenophon

Arlt had genius; but he lacked both influence and initiative.
Extract from : « The Dominant Strain » by Anna Chapin Ray

He is a man of initiative and push, and withal he is a man of sincerity and tact.
Extract from : « Rural Life and the Rural School » by Joseph Kennedy

It may suppress spontaneity, initiative, and real life in the school.
Extract from : « Rural Life and the Rural School » by Joseph Kennedy

Synonyms for initiative

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019