1
2
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
started the impressionist movement in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to commence
to take the first step in (a process or course of action)
we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
-
The Knicks’ starters were outscored by 29 points over the first two games, and Indiana jumped out to a first-quarter lead both nights.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
-
Children should also be discouraged from swinging on their tummies or jumping off.—
Dr. Julie Gilchrist,
Boston Herald,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Along with Cepeda, Jenkins established the boutique production company Resurgent Pictures in 2022.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
24 May 2025
-
Urban Exploration Hartford, the state capital, boasts a growing LGBTQ+ scene centered around Chez Est, a restaurant and cabaret established in 1983 and believed to be the first entertainment venue of its kind in the state’s history.—
Joshua Alston,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Take these steps to win bonus bets for basketball, baseball, hockey and other sports this weekend: Follow the links on this page to activate the welcome offer.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Breathing in and sighing out slowly for longer than your in breath with an open mouth can activate the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system.—
Paul McClure
May 24,
New Atlas,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
In Afghanistan, a war that began after 9/11, 2,465 American lives were lost, and half that many allied troops in the campaign to oust Al Qaeda.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
-
The 3-1 deficit proved too much for the Dodgers to surmount — ending a day that had begun with so much optimism around Ohtani’s two-way talents with a dud of a performance and frustrating series loss in Queens.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Using metal detectors and magnetometers, the team was able to locate large bits of steel and iron protruding from the seafloor that turned out to be parts of the frame and windlass, the machine used to reel in the anchor.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
-
One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 Met Gala is Rihanna’s protruding belly.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
The finding suggested that commencing metformin after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was associated with a better chance of living longer, compared to commencing sulfonylurea.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 May 2025
-
Soon Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco arrived at his one-day event, and the cone drills and photos commenced.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Coming back as a judge 20 years later is such a special full-circle moment for me and it’s meant a lot to share that journey with the people that have been there from the beginning, as well as a whole new generation of Idol fans.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
18 May 2025
-
The inaugural Mass marked the official beginning of Leo’s pontificate.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Casas said that any such accusations would still require further investigation, but that such information could potentially initiate probable cause.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
-
Three months into a boycott initiated in response to Target’s decision to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, the retailer has reported a decline in sales and profits.—
Timeka Tounsel,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share