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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of started
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
—
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
Minnesota started slow and trailed the host Badgers 18-8 late in the first quarter.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Both are married – Beatrice to British property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Eugenie to businessman Jack Brooksbank – and have started their own families.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Then Strain started experimenting with 3D printing, and the PlantMe Bead was born.
—Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
But over the past decade or so, something has started to curdle in the upper reaches of state government.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
The football program blended very well and, as had happened in Freeport, successful seasons started almost right away.
—Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
That really was him and Gary (Harris) that started the two-man game and handoffs and stuff.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The Belgium international has started to utilise his physical traits, increasingly aggressive in duels and more willing to dominate his opponent.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026
Minnesota started slow and trailed the host Badgers 18-8 late in the first quarter.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Both are married – Beatrice to British property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Eugenie to businessman Jack Brooksbank – and have started their own families.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Then Strain started experimenting with 3D printing, and the PlantMe Bead was born.
—Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
But over the past decade or so, something has started to curdle in the upper reaches of state government.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
The football program blended very well and, as had happened in Freeport, successful seasons started almost right away.
—Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
That really was him and Gary (Harris) that started the two-man game and handoffs and stuff.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The Belgium international has started to utilise his physical traits, increasingly aggressive in duels and more willing to dominate his opponent.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
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Reduce your high-rate debts Consumer debt has been rising year after year, and credit card balances alone have jumped dramatically in this economic climate.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Whereas boys’ participation in all sports has remained stagnant, the number of girls has jumped by 35,000.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Andrew has left the Order of the Garter, which was founded by Edward III, in 1348, and had his banner removed from the chapel at Windsor Castle.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Pietro Loro Piana founded the company as a wool mill in 1924 in the country’s Quarona.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Much of that instability was triggered by the battle between Thaksin and his allies, versus Thailand’s conservative establishment, a small but powerful network of military, royalist, and business elites threatened by his populist policies.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The recall was triggered after inspectors discovered pieces of blue plastic in a production filter.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Just hours after bombs began raining down on Oahu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, two FBI agents arrived unannounced at Nikki Nojima Louis’ home in Seattle’s Japantown.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Big, waxy flowers called lobster claws protruded from thick stalks.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
However, blood was pouring out of Good’s left ear immediately after the shooting, and tissue protruded from the left side of her head, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As previously reported by FN, Pedro García’s 100th anniversary celebrations commenced in 2025 with a range of endeavors including a special capsule collection called Essentia, in-store pop-ins, the aforementioned commemorative book and a series of exclusive events.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tied heavily to the moon's phases, the Lunar New Year has commenced this week as adherents usher in the Year of the Horse with a variety of cultural traditions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loro Piana in 1997 established the annual Record Bale Award, driving his and the brand’s quest for increasingly finer merino wool fibers every year.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In their place Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner have established themselves as the kings of the court, and the rest of the world consistently isn’t in their sphere.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The garage sprinkler system had activated, helping control the fire prior to the department’s arrival, according to officials.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And lasting up to 40 minutes when activated, the alarm and strobe light’s battery life is impressive.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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