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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
Without VanVleet, the Rockets started one of the tallest lineups in NBA history, a combined total of 413 inches for the five starters. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025 Thankfully Etsy sells troves of vintage ornaments to start your own traditions or recreate the supermodel’s holiday style. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 28-year-old, making his first league start for United since May 2023, turned and drove at the Burnley box. Beren Cross, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Final thoughts Despite the late start, the new cast members gelled nicely with Carpenter tonight! Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
  • The incident on Saturday morning began when Oakland police were called about person who had broken into a home on the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, in a hills neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The issue began shortly after midnight PDT in AWS' main US-East-1 region hosted in northern Virginia.
    Tasmin Lockwood,Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The split commenced a contentious court battle in which the former model requested $175,057 in child support payments, a $45,000 increase from a tentative payment order, during a two-day Santa Barbara court hearing in August, according to People.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The 17-year-long lease will commence at the start of 2026, with two five-year renewal options when the term expires in June 2043, the documents state.
    Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Politically, the affluence manifested in Long Island establishing itself as a bastion of the Republican Party, showing strong support for Hoover in his doomed Presidential campaign against Roosevelt.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, are continuing their efforts to facilitate dialogue and to broker progress on key measures such as reopening border crossings, delivering aid, and establishing future governance structures for Gaza.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman were activated, with Denzel starting and making the first tackle.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That figure jumped 26 percent over last year’s NLCS, which was the previous record in Japan.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Despite a challenging outlook for the luxury sector as a whole, markets have cheered de Meo’s arrival, with Kering’s share price jumping 83 percent since news of his appointment broke in June.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With handbags seamlessly protruding from skirts, pantyhose covering stacks of massive bangles, doses of hot pink and big fur, the collection was made for social media consumption.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Lucas and Simone had been tasked with holding and then removing a protruding piece of a forklift metal prong impaled in a construction worker’s abdomen.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After drawing 1-1 with Manchester United at the beginning of the month, dropping points for the first time in the Women’s Super League (WSL) this season, Chelsea needed a penalty to equalise and finish with the same result away against FC Twente of the Vrouwen Eredivisie.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Less than a month later, Skaggs died alone in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, at the beginning of an Angels road trip of what was later determined to be a lethal combination of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The project took two years to develop, originating as an independent effort to spotlight Rawalpindi’s stories internationally.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The sturdy wood vessel lined with a silky white interior originated as a traditional mortuary viewing casket before a midlife career change took it to the stage.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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