1
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to commence
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
3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
started the impressionist movement in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of start
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The Detroit Pistons are quickly settling on their rotations before the NBA season starts.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Closing the gap between race car and road car has defined automotive advancement from the very start, and motorsport’s Formula 1 series has been the ultimate feeder of trickle-down technology to top-tier production models.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2025
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
This original blaze that Rinderknecht allegedly started was known as the Lachman Fire, and it was quickly suppressed.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start
Verb
Some of fashion’s most lasting ideas start with an accident.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The Detroit Pistons are quickly settling on their rotations before the NBA season starts.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Ravens and Harbaugh could decide both parties need a fresh start before 2026.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Closing the gap between race car and road car has defined automotive advancement from the very start, and motorsport’s Formula 1 series has been the ultimate feeder of trickle-down technology to top-tier production models.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
The boos started cascading from the rafters of Citizens Bank Park in the seventh inning of Game 2 Monday night when the Dodgers scored four times to break a deadlock and take a 4-0 lead.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
This original blaze that Rinderknecht allegedly started was known as the Lachman Fire, and it was quickly suppressed.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
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
Noun
-
Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker spoke at a college commencement in 2024 and told the women that they have been told lies about their futures and probably were more excited about being wives and mothers than taking on careers.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Help not wanted A graduating student of the City College of New York wears a message on his cap during the College's commencement ceremony in the Harlem section of Manhattan.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since the category’s inception, the tribute has been awarded to projects including Moonlight, The Hurt Locker, Babel, Winter’s Bone, The Favourite, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Fire Island, and most recently, The Piano Lesson, among others.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Chinese contemporary artist Lang brought Hirono to life in 2021 and has released nine series and plenty of non-series characters and collaborations since its inception.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But there is growing anticipation inside and outside the club that the coming weeks could mark the onset of historic change at the Santiago Bernabeu.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
To learn more about early-onset colorectal cancer, listen to the full episode here.—
Andrea Kane,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Louisiana Fish Fry, the makers behind many delicious Cajun and Creole cooking products, just announced the launch of a new Dark Roux Gumbo Base, creating a premium, yet quick and convenient, solution for home chefs.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The launch of Quantum System Two follows the deployment last year of our first European quantum data center with multiple installations of our best quantum computers in Germany.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share