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as in to jump
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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start

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noun

started

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verb (2)

past tense of start
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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 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 28-year-old, making his first league start for United since May 2023, turned and drove at the Burnley box. Beren Cross, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Final thoughts Despite the late start, the new cast members gelled nicely with Carpenter tonight! Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 19 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
  • The launch is above the first film, as well as Weapons, and more than 3x Smile 2 and Sinners.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Along with the launch, Aniston is helping Pvolve kick off the nationwide Strong for Fall Challenge, a three-week commitment to complete 10 strength-building workouts, and, for every challenge completed, Pvolve will donate $1 to Women in Medicine.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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