What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spearhead
Example
She spearheaded the fundraising campaign for the new community center. [spearheaded: past tense verb]
Example
The CEO spearheaded the company's expansion into international markets. [spearheaded: past participle verb]
initiate
Example
He initiated the project by presenting his proposal to the team. [initiated: past tense verb]
Example
The company initiated a new training program for its employees. [initiated: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Initiate is more commonly used than spearhead in everyday language. Initiate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spearhead is less common and often used in more specific or formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spearhead and initiate?
While initiate can be used in both formal and informal contexts, spearhead is typically associated with a more formal tone and is often used in professional or business settings.