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
Check out our growing guides on fast-growing summer flower seeds and how to start seeds indoors. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025 West Virginia’s ban, for example, prohibits red, yellow, blue and green artificial dyes in school meals starting Aug. 1. Matthew Perrone, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
For longtime fans of Onimusha the most exciting update though is probably the inclusion of ‘Hell Mode’ difficulty, which is available from the very start. David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Gold has skyrocketed nearly 25% during Trump’s new term, absolutely crushing the pervious record of 13.5% during former President Jimmy Carter’s start to his term in 1977. David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • The report also notes that saving intentions for middle-income Americans jumped by 2.4 points in April while their intent to use debt fell 2.5 points.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The folks at Hugging Face, the open-source artificial intelligence gurus, just jumped into the world of robotics by acquiring Pollen Robotics.
    Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Reuters was not immediately able to establish his identity.
    USA Today, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The underpinnings of a global order can be traced to the age of discovery, when Europeans first learned to circumnavigate the globe, then established a presence at vast distances, and followed that with empires.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Blue Jays outfielder’s incredible play came just hours after Toronto activated him off the injured list to make his season debut.
    Jenna West, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • These drugs work by activating estrogen receptors in bone tissue to prevent bone breakdown.
    Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, the Administration began the process of cancelling the Social Security numbers of immigrants who were in the country lawfully.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Max subscription plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads while ad-free subscriptions cost $16.99 a month.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Around the same time, the company commenced an aggressive play for the college sports insurance market, introducing a novel contract protection product for NIL collectives while also trying to get into the critical injury coverage niche.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Production on the second season of Nobody Wants This commenced in March 2025.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Type 1: The Starting Goal The first type of financial goal is the one set at the beginning of a financial journey.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • There were language gaps, especially at the beginning.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • China is currently still saddled with a 145% import tariff, and the others were slated for tariffs ranging from 26% to 49% before Trump's 90-day pause initiated on April 9.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • These bids can be small, like asking us about ourselves and our day, inviting us to an event, or initiating touch.
    Myisha Battle, Time, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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