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
Earlier this year, Zhang started seeing reports on Chinese social media of students whose visas were cancelled and whose legal status had been terminated. Michael Luo, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 After two days, the new machine started going bonkers – as if it was possessed. Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Noun
But conservatives from the House Freedom Caucus negotiated for a quicker start date, in December 2026, to start the spending reductions sooner. Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025 Hawkins will begin the transition into the new position in June with a July 1 official start date. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • Umpire Cy Rigler, who had followed the play to third, then jumped after Olson, grabbing him about the neck and pulling him away, while half a dozen ball players made a circle around Maranville.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • He's jumped into the podcast world with The Deal, co-hosting with Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • In spite of his ability to carry the ball forward — a point of difference from his fellow midfielders — Willock has never quite established himself as integral, at least in part because of his struggles with injury.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Cuomo has established a polling lead over other candidates and is viewed as the leader with less than a month until the primary, as progressives seek to rally behind other candidates to prevent him from becoming the party's nominee because of his more moderate policy positions.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • In other words, for reasons still not fully understood, the robot’s yawn may have activated a biological response in the chimpanzees that led them to associate the gesture with sleep or rest.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
  • None of them had their body cameras activated, a violation of department policy.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Entering the homestretch, Journalism poked his head in front as Rodriguez began to fall back.
    John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, in the UFC 316 PPV card co-headliner, Julianna Pena begins her second stint as the women’s 135-pound champ against former PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Alleging an intrusive shed, a protruding carport and sprinkler damage, a Meridian church has taken legal action against a longtime neighbor.
    Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2025
  • Using a chemical glove box, a polycarbonate glass box with protruding gloves that shields substances from oxygen and moisture, scientists combined the berkelium metal with an organic molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen to create a chemical reaction.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • What Happens Next The talks will commence in London on Monday, according to Trump's Truth Social post.
    Hannah Parry Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • The Pitt actress Shabana Azeez, who played Dr. Javadi, recently posted a picture confirming that filming had commenced as planned in June, just a short while after The Pitt season 1 ended.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Only Part of It Hails From Ingolstadt At the beginning of the 1990s, both Audi and Porsche needed help.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
  • At the beginning of the year, WWD reported that Medik8 was exploring deal options.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Anthony Devlin/Press Association via AP What To Know The recall was initiated by Publix on May 9 and was classified by the FDA on June 3.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • Key operational processes must at least be initiated during this stage.
    Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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