started

past tense of start
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

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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 started Just as nine days of early voting started June 13, Conley became the latest target of attack ads linked to Republicans, who used similar tactics to influence voters in earlier Democratic primaries this year. Chris McKenna, USA Today, 22 June 2026 What started as a handful of infested trees in Evergreen, Colorado, has turned into hundreds for landowner Jon Hager. Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 22 June 2026 Keith Miller of Coventry lives nearby and walks by the lake every day and started talking to Pam one day on one of his walks. Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 At least 12 people in a crowd on a Chicago street suffered gunshot wounds Friday evening after an SUV pulled up and two people inside started shooting, police said. ABC News, 21 June 2026 Still, dryness from El Niño has started to slow demand for potash, according to RBC Capital Markets analyst Andrew Wong. Bloomberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026 Street, while the Wells Fire started near Northwest 122nd Avenue and Northwest 58th Street. Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 21 June 2026 One last comeback The Spurs started the fourth quarter by rebuilding their lead – a huge dunk by Wembanayama extended the lead to a nine-point margin with 10 minutes to go. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026 But as Montgomery started his swing, the firm changeup veered away from his bat at a sharp downward angle. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
  • Indiana forward Myisha Hines-Allen jumped into the scrum.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Now, in an Emerson College poll that asked the same question, pessimism had jumped 26 points, to 41%, while optimism had ticked down to 42% − overall, a positive edge of a single point.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Things to do Menorca’s art scene dates from the 1960s when the Grupo Menorca founded the island’s first contemporary art gallery.
    Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 22 June 2026
  • Clive Davis, the music executive who founded Arista Records and J Records and helped shape the careers of Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and many others, died on Monday at his home in New York City.
    Dan Hyman, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, questions about how much DHS paid for some warehouses triggered an internal audit.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
  • The avatar on Bonsu Baah’s Instagram page is a photograph of his mother, whose sudden death four years ago triggered a change in his thinking.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 June 2026
  • Young also noted that Iran’s Gulf neighbors will invest in pipelines to avoid oil flows through the strait, which allowed for the transit of 20 million barrels a day before the war began.
    Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • The problem was that many of them protruded from the front of vehicles like miniature medieval weapons.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.
    Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Before the Oranje Fanwalk commenced Thursday, the Netherlands packed the Power & Light for food and some beverages.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • In preparation for the aircraft’s arrival next year, Qantas pilots have commenced training on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney and with British Airways in the UK.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • What is established is that the celebrated director Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the movie, is helming this version and Darrell Grand Moultrie, who has a robust background in choreographing both ballet and Beyoncé, is in charge of the dancing.
    Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 22 June 2026
  • Bringing that inside-out understanding of his industry and its history speaks to his strengths as a veteran working actor who has made a habit of dropping into established and popular shows mid-run and shaking things up.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 June 2026
  • Star shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) is scheduled to play another rehab game on Tuesday and could be activated shortly thereafter.
    James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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