jump-started; jump-starting; jump-starts
Synonyms of jump-startnext

transitive verb

1
: to start (an engine or vehicle) by temporary connection to an external power source (such as another vehicle's battery)
2
a
: to start or restart (something) rapidly or forcefully
advertising can jump-start a political campaign
b
: to impart fresh or renewed energy to (something) : energize
a plan to jump-start the stagnant economy
jump start noun

Synonyms of jump-start

Examples of jump-start in a Sentence

an intentionally provocative comment that was supposed to jump-start the discussion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The application jump-starts a city-approvals process, complete with public hearings, where the City Council would have the final say over what can and can’t be built. Rose Evans january 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026 The United States is preparing to take control of tens of millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil as part of a sweeping, three-phase strategy aimed at stabilizing the country, jump-starting its economy and steering toward a political transition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026 Town and school leaders have long hoped new development on the now-vacant property would boost Eatonville’s limited tax base and jump-start a revitalization of the town, which has has struggled economically. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026 House Democrats release property tax plan House Democrats are getting a jump-start on the property tax debate by releasing their own plan to lower Iowans' costs. Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jump-start

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jump-start was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Jump-start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump-start. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

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