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
Fans waited for the buses that carried the heroes of that year’s Stanley Cup-winning team; as soon as a bus turned a corner and the players came close enough to be recognizable, fans started shouting their names, yelling joyfully. Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 Before her second trial even started, Read had $5 million of deferred legal bills, according to the magazine. Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Noun
Dylan Cease’s quality start was that much sturdier. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025 But Kikuchi blanked the Astros on four hits, striking out nine and walking none, for the rest of his seven-inning, 103-pitch start to give the Angels a chance to come back. Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • Not many people signed, but immediately following Floyd's murder and the protests that ensued, her petition jumped significantly and garnered over 1.6 million signatures.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • The percentage of students assigning their schools an A grade also jumped to 31 percent, up from 22 percent in 2023.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Fortunately, Lehane is a great enough crime author to be able to imitate a terrible one(*), and being more overt about that helps to better establish who Dave is.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
  • Of the five that made the cut, the Yankees, Tigers and Cubs have the best statistical odds, establishing themselves among a clear group of favorites that have begun to coalesce at the top of the rankings midway through the season.
    Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • More than 200 water spray features and water playgrounds will also be fully activated across the city by this weekend.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • Alternative Option: Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine electric-only driving (typically 20–50 miles) with a gasoline engine that activates when the battery is depleted.
    Josh Max, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • De Los Reyes began working for Elite Security as a bag-checker at Petco Park during the 2007-08 baseball season.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • The Dodgers initially declined to make any public comment when the raids first began.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The first-gen roam the mainland naked because of the idea that their clothes disintegrated long ago, and their appearances are characterized by veins that protrude from their body in revolting knots.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 June 2025
  • After making sure the point is protruding slightly from one side of the bait, take the extra few seconds to remove scales all around the point.
    Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The Carabao Cup will begin in mid-August, with Premier League teams not playing in Europe entering in the second round, which starts in the week commencing August 25, and the remaining seven clubs receiving a bye to the third round, which takes place in the weeks commencing September 15 and 22.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • These delays at the ISA, in turn, have frustrated corporate actors, like The Metals Company (TMC), which are keen to commence commercial-scale operations in international waters.
    Time, Time, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • He’s been trying really from the beginning to bring the 10 Black mob families together.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 June 2025
  • Where To Spend, Who To Support From its humble beginnings to becoming a worldwide celebration, Pride has always been political.
    Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The beloved shortstop wanted to be in Boston for his entire career, and even initiated a team-friendly extension to further that dream.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
  • The proceedings were initiated following a complaint filed by La Liga, which joined the case as a private prosecutor.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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