start 1 of 2

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as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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start

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of start
Verb
Alfred Collins spent his first four years at Texas in the shadows, starting all of 12 games as the Longhorns kept rotating in older studs on their defensive line. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 May 2025 All of those accomplishments, however, paled in personal significance to what the Dodgers’ starting catcher did. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
Kuhns allowed 5 runs (4 earned), 3 hits and 3 walks, and struck out 3 during his 2-inning start for the Vols. Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025 While the official start of hurricane season is June 1st, storms can occasionally develop in May. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • There’s plenty of video on social media showing hundreds of carp jumping into boats on various rivers, including the mighty Mississippi.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Burberry’s stock jumped more than 9% Wednesday morning following the results.
    Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Much of the fighting has focused on the group’s desire to establish an independent Kurdish state in the country’s southeast.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • The report also presses the Federal Communications Commission to establish performance standards and develop measurable goals and monitoring for WEA performance, and ensure mobile providers include location-aware maps by the December 2026 deadline.
    Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Using Pineal Glad Meditation Pineal gland meditation is a breathing technique associated with activating the pineal gland, a small gland in your brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep and wakefulness.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 May 2025
  • The Reds traded for Connor Joe from the San Diego Padres before the game, and he was activated the next day.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • After an ear-splitting sound, the wind began to calm.
    Gwen Rockwood, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
  • Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for Massachusetts state courts, confirmed day 15 of the trial is set to begin at 9 a.m.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • But in May 2023, while out for a run, the New Hampshire native noticed something strange: a large bump protruding from her abdomen.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The actor shared memories of the time his balls unwittingly protruded out of his boxer briefs during an off-Broadway production, on the latest episode of the SmartLess podcast.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, the pricing-in may commence prior to the earnings disclosure.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Law will star as Siegfried and Garfield will star as Roy, with production set to commence in the fall.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Finding new degrees of colorful suits, flowing capes, and animal print jumpsuits supported the show’s tone from the beginning, but has increasingly become part of the HBO series’s comedy in its own right.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 4 May 2025
  • The latter two retained the absolutist moral vision that had characterized Western stances at the beginning of the war, clashing with the U.S.’s new position.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, the company agreed to initiate a strategic review.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 10 May 2025
  • That allows the Sky to utilize their bigs to initiate actions at the perimeter, such as dribble handoffs that create options for guards to cut, shoot or set up a new screen.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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