1
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to commence
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
started the impressionist movement in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of start
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
After starting the game with Cecilia Zandalasini and Kayla Thornton, Nakase opted to replace the veteran forwards with Salaün and veteran guard Tiffany Hayes.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
New moons usually occur once a month and are always tied to fresh starts, new cycles and unique journeys, astrologer Kyle Thomas tells PEOPLE.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Verb
Lugo was slated to start Monday’s road game against the Washington Nationals.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
After starting the game with Cecilia Zandalasini and Kayla Thornton, Nakase opted to replace the veteran forwards with Salaün and veteran guard Tiffany Hayes.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Noun
Buenik’s good start helped — Mount Carmel’s first two batters struck out looking — and the Wildcats then scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
New moons usually occur once a month and are always tied to fresh starts, new cycles and unique journeys, astrologer Kyle Thomas tells PEOPLE.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
-
Work is continuing to try to stabilize the Pacifica Municipal Pier, which began cracking at its base on June 4 and is now in danger of breaking off and falling into the water.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
On-site Hawaiian cultural programming helps visitors connect with the islands' history and culture, and the complimentary Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Experience that begins with a traditional sunrise chant is not to be missed.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Homer Gere, Yvonne Chapman, Ellen Barkin, Willem Dafoe and Michael Douglas have rounded out the cast of Oliver Stone‘s upcoming pic White Lies as principal photography commences.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
-
Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Those would be high benchmarks for Texas Tech to establish, so long as the conference follows its own bylaws.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 June 2026
-
State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
At the intersection of North Green Hills Drive, the statement said, the driver activated a turn signal, then canceled it and kept going straight ahead.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
In response to the advisory, the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust has activated an emergency outreach plan.—
Miami Herald Staff Report,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
In other social media videos, Fischer can be seen base jumping enthusiastically from sheer cliffs with only a parachute to break his fall.—
Matthew Kelly
Updated June 15,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
His challenge will be to jump Samuel on the depth chart to become the first corner off the bench if Porter or Dean are injured.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.—
Sumit Mandal,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
-
In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps the most striking part of the visit was seeing the pope appearing the most relaxed and happy since the beginning of his papacy.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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After hearing these songs, the happier ones at the beginning of the album reveal bits of shadow that Rodrigo has built into them to presage what’s to come — to presage what always comes.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Jackson, who originated the role in both the Off Broadway and Broadway productions of the musical, earning a Tony Award nomination for the latter, will return to the role on Tuesday, September 8, playing through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
-
Delta Flight 1966 originated in San Juan, Puerto Rico.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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