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Definition of startnext
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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

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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
Humanoid robots and autonomous cars could end up taking significantly longer than Musk hopes, and the company is facing stiffer competition than, say, Tesla and SpaceX did when they were getting started. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The aircraft starts at $190,000 with the option of purchasing a transport trailer for $21,000 and a charger for $1,100. Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
By leading Manchester United to wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games in charge, Michael Carrick has made a fast start as the Old Trafford club’s new interim manager. Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026 As 2026 starts, cracks are appearing in whatever magic has kept California’s housing market intact. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • What began as a performance became a collective release.
    Michelle Edgar, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The company said closing sales will commence January 31 for select Off 5th stores and all Last Call locations.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
  • That all changed Wednesday evening, when the Metro Mesa League opener commenced between the two schools at Olympian.
    Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The following components work together to establish this style’s iconic look.
    Erica Puisis, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The proposal also establishes more predictable timelines for preparing environmental impact statements, reducing delays and providing greater certainty for both developers and financing partners.
    Carlina Rivera, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Neuroscience has long shown that watching another person experience pain activates the same neural regions as experiencing pain ourselves.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Even as Covid-19 disrupted global travel, the length of operational high-speed lines jumped by 40% between 2020 and 2022, from 27,300 to 36,580 miles — most of it in China.
    Ben Jones, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
  • This jumps the number of accidents to 151 since the start of the harsh winter weather Saturday.
    Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This season, Roseberry continued his mission with a haute couture collection that featured replica reptilian textures, protruding tusk breasts, scorpion bustiers and a translucent two-piece skirt suit rendered in hyperreal blowfish scales.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Models walked the runway in overcoats with shoulder pads, hourglass suits, pencil skirts and bra tops, with cylinder ponytails protruding from the sides of their heads.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • That’s been around since the beginning of time.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.
    OLIVIA DIAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Early slayers often originate between realms—people who have been near death and pulled back, or have the markings of potential vampires, or who are born at times of the year when the veil between worlds is thin.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Quayle said that among passengers originating in Chicago, United gets 50% while American gets 31%.
    Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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