false start
noun
1
: a premature start (as of a race or football play)
2
: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (such as a career)
Examples of false start in a Sentence
If someone makes a false start, the race is immediately stopped and the runners have to start again.
After several false starts, the researchers were finally able to identify the virus causing the epidemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Travis Kelce got right in Jawaan Taylor's face after his second false start of the game.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Staying ahead of the chains Charlotte’s first play from scrimmage was indicative of its offensive performance against Appalachian State, with James Madison transfer Jesse Ramil committing a false start in his first snap with the program.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
However, each of Klubnik’s first two passes fell incomplete, and a false start backed them up even more, forcing them to punt.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
It was derailed in part by tight end Colston Loveland’s false start, the type of pre-snap operational miscue that has been far too prevalent from the entire offense throughout training camp.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false start
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Staying ahead of the chains Charlotte’s first play from scrimmage was indicative of its offensive performance against Appalachian State, with James Madison transfer Jesse Ramil committing a false start in his first snap with the program.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
However, each of Klubnik’s first two passes fell incomplete, and a false start backed them up even more, forcing them to punt.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
It was derailed in part by tight end Colston Loveland’s false start, the type of pre-snap operational miscue that has been far too prevalent from the entire offense throughout training camp.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for false start
Cite this Entry
“False start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20start. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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