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 The initial symptoms began in early 2024, when Farrington, 45, started to experience dreadful night sweats. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 Pandemic deals gave way to record rents, and evictions started up again. Clio Chang, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025 And the drive to solve complex problems started early. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025 Xpeng started releasing its driver-assist tech in major Chinese cities in early 2023, and the systems have rapidly become a must-have feature for Chinese companies wanting to survive in the highly competitive domestic market. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 But such an award started with a premonition from him and his head coach, Moehrig said. Alex Zietlow november 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025 Those stories have started travelling better to other nations in the CEE region like the Czech Republic and Romania, according to Kłuskiewicz, who cited projects like High Water and sports movie Boxer. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Some fans — though certainly not all — have started to tune out since the Sunflower Showdown defeat. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 The Commodores have started 7-1 with the lone loss to Alabama. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
  • Total revenue, which jumped 10% year-on-year in the third quarter on a constant currency basis, is expected to rise by a high single-digit percentage this year, while core earnings per share are forecast to jump by a low double-digit percentage.
    Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The model then jumped onto a blue motorcycle, revved the engine and filled the room with smoke as a pole dancer covered in complete silver body paint began to spin in front of a guest list including photographer Myles Loftin, Head of State designer Taofeek Abijako, and Chxrry.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Jared Isaacman, who founded the payments company Shift4, has organized, funded and commanded two private astronaut missions to Earth orbit, both of them using SpaceX hardware.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • All the company had emitted since Gates founded it in 1975 would be gone, the full footprint washed away.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Patterson returns to Charlotte following a monthslong controversy over the circumstances of Jennings’ split with the city, including a secretive six-figure settlement that triggered an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The shutdown was triggered at the start of October when Senate Democrats blocked the passage of the CR passed by the House.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many Federal Aviation Administration facilities are so critically short on controllers that just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said that more air traffic controllers have been calling in sick since the shutdown began.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • That is when the gruelling road back to fitness began.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Spider-y lash extensions protruded from her lash line, reaching to the bottom of her brows; a thin wing of black liner was drawn from the outer corners of her eyes.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • His bones visibly protruded from his thin skin, according to court documents.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As one of Stephen King‘s scariest pieces of IP gets the HBO Max series treatment, the bloodbath has commenced with the first episode.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The battle of the crustless sandwiches has commenced.
    Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If successful, Proposition 50 would ditch a nonpartisan commission California voters established via a 2010 ballot initiative that draws those district boundaries.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • After joining Harvard’s faculty, Morgan established the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute in 2007, recognizing the genre’s deep intellectual and cultural value at a time when few in academia did.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • National Guard troops have been staging at Portland training bases for weeks while the legal case plays out, having been activated to protect federal officials and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that has been the focal point of daily protests since June.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The president additionally activated the District of Columbia National Guard in August for law enforcement activities.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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