1
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in founded
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 triggered
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in began
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in commenced
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of started
Mike Trout started the Angels’ scoring in the third with a two-out single to score Sebastián Rivero from second and tie the score at one.
—
Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Then, a man joined us on a break and started talking … and talking and talking.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
What started as a regional port has evolved into a high-efficiency export platform moving more than 2 million barrels per day.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Stephanie also started making special allergy-friendly recipes that Logan could eat on special occasions, which evolved into a business called Rare Treats Baking Company, which helps other families dealing with food allergies and eosinophilic disorders.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Police suspect it was started by an individual who suddenly began running through the crowd, officials said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 24 May 2026
Chicago benched Ian Happ, in a 1-for-24 slide, and started Michael Conforto, who went 0 for 2.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
Seth Lugo started Sunday’s series finale against the Mariners, and KC plans to start Michael Wacha on Monday — Memorial Day — and Noah Cameron on Wednesday.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 24, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Some draftees have an immediate impact—this year’s Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, started two key players who were drafted last spring—but the process is mainly a means of incremental, long-term improvement.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Then, a man joined us on a break and started talking … and talking and talking.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
What started as a regional port has evolved into a high-efficiency export platform moving more than 2 million barrels per day.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Stephanie also started making special allergy-friendly recipes that Logan could eat on special occasions, which evolved into a business called Rare Treats Baking Company, which helps other families dealing with food allergies and eosinophilic disorders.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Police suspect it was started by an individual who suddenly began running through the crowd, officials said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 24 May 2026
Chicago benched Ian Happ, in a 1-for-24 slide, and started Michael Conforto, who went 0 for 2.
—CBS News, 24 May 2026
Seth Lugo started Sunday’s series finale against the Mariners, and KC plans to start Michael Wacha on Monday — Memorial Day — and Noah Cameron on Wednesday.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 24, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Some draftees have an immediate impact—this year’s Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, started two key players who were drafted last spring—but the process is mainly a means of incremental, long-term improvement.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
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And quickly, her opponents jumped her as soon as the bell rang.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
-
The number of Americans seeking Irish citizenship through ancestry—a route for people with Irish parents or grandparents—jumped 63% last year.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The backstory Originally a sheep station founded in 1844, Wharekauhau began welcoming guests in the 1970s, when it was run by the Shaw family.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
Helping the poor, preserving their names Pennsylvania Hospital, though never religiously affiliated, was founded in a city heavily influenced by its Quaker roots.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
After a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in March, which was triggered by Micky van de Ven’s red card just before half-time, Tudor hinted at discord in the dressing room.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey received pushback Monday over a social media post remembering George Floyd, whose Memorial Day death six years ago triggered nationwide protests and riots, as well as calls to defund law enforcement agencies.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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The fire authority’s hazardous materials response team began dousing the tanks at a Garden Grove facility Thursday, prompting an initial evacuation order that was lifted later that day.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
In addition to Jake finding a home at the fire station, the FWFD's HOPE Team began searching for Tom and eventually located him in a homeless camp, per WAFB 9.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The hilt of a sword protruded from his back, snug beside a pack as tight as an angry fist.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
Under the flaps of his jacket there was a small tear in his T-shirt, directly over his left nipple, which protruded like a knot of purple rope.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Usyk tried to swarm once the action commenced.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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The LPs also commenced his empathetic association with bassist Bob Cranshaw, who appeared on Rollins’ albums for the next half-century.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Rollins survived virtually all of his contemporaries from the 1950s and ’60s, the period in which the fundamental elements of the contemporary jazz that followed for the next half-century were established.—
Don Heckman,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
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Among the artifacts found buried in the frozen earth were pewter military buttons from the First Pennsylvania Battalion, established in 1775 — which helped archaeologists date the remains back to the Revolutionary War, according to the museum.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
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That is essentially the only reason he was activated on May 6.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
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Authorities stated that the patient is a close contact identified through the epidemiological monitoring activated after the initial detection of the outbreak on the cruise ship.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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