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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
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
  • 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
  • In October 2022, the NFLPA commenced a System Arbitration alleging exactly that.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour, which commenced in 2022, launched a new North American leg in May with stadium dates through September.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • And the state Riley Act, also passed in 1933, required California local governments to establish a building department and inspect new construction.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • For this historic journey, Kipyegon utilized male pacers to help establish the pace of the race.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory.
    Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • It’s been a couple of years since Google and Jamestown activated a stretch of downtown San Jose near SAP Center with its Creekside Socials, block parties with music, art and food trucks.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
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
  • Running, jumping and pivoting are things that basketball players kind of do a lot during a game.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 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
Noun
  • Bulls will point to yesterday’s event as just the beginning of an exciting path of growth.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 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
  • Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich.
    Ali Rampling, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • One claims that the area’s name originates from the love story between the demigod Hercules and a nymph named Amalfi.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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