as in beginning
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in jumping
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 establishing
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 activating
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in launching
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
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Recent Examples of starting
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Forward Bailey Barnhard moved into the starting lineup this season.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
His 6-foot-2 frame will serve him well in a league as physical as MLS, and he will be thrust into the starting lineup right away while Robin Jansson recovers from a foot injury.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
When Ziebell first arrived at UConn last fall, Auriemma says she was poised to step into the starting lineup when the season opened.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Check out the winners and losers of the night — and see the starting lineup below, too.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Warren McClendon replaced Havenstein in the starting lineup and played fairly well, but Havenstein returned to practice in the days before the NFC championship game last month in hopes of playing if the Rams made it to the Super Bowl.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
He’s been put into the starting lineup when guys have been hurt.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The starting lineup used the most — Russell Westbrook, LaVine, DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa and Raynaud — has been used just nine times.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-8 power forward played just five minutes in the first game against Houston before the break, scoring on two field goal attempts and one of two free throws, but he will be counted on to back up starting center Brook Lopez.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Blending technology and old-fashioned instruction Among Colorado’s weaknesses last season, starting pitching was the most glaring.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
The women's hockey gold medal game is 40 minutes from starting as both teams take the ice to start their warmups inside this arena.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
UConn went more than four minutes in the second without hitting a shot in the halfcourt, starting 0-for-7 from the field.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t sure yet how many starting position players might be in the lineup this weekend, though Seiya Suzuki is expected to play center field in the Cactus League before leaving for Tokyo on Monday to help prepare him to play that position for Team Japan.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The cookies will be available in retailers starting March 2, for a limited time.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
If the states don’t reach a deal, federal officials could sharply cut Arizona’s water starting next year, and at that point, a lawsuit is likely, Buschatzke said.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The Nuggets have used Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther as complementary guards in the starting lineup over the last month while navigating injuries.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Forward Bailey Barnhard moved into the starting lineup this season.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
His 6-foot-2 frame will serve him well in a league as physical as MLS, and he will be thrust into the starting lineup right away while Robin Jansson recovers from a foot injury.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
When Ziebell first arrived at UConn last fall, Auriemma says she was poised to step into the starting lineup when the season opened.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Check out the winners and losers of the night — and see the starting lineup below, too.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Warren McClendon replaced Havenstein in the starting lineup and played fairly well, but Havenstein returned to practice in the days before the NFC championship game last month in hopes of playing if the Rams made it to the Super Bowl.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
He’s been put into the starting lineup when guys have been hurt.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The starting lineup used the most — Russell Westbrook, LaVine, DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa and Raynaud — has been used just nine times.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
The players could feel the former United and Wales winger starting to move up the gears.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-8 power forward played just five minutes in the first game against Houston before the break, scoring on two field goal attempts and one of two free throws, but he will be counted on to back up starting center Brook Lopez.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Blending technology and old-fashioned instruction Among Colorado’s weaknesses last season, starting pitching was the most glaring.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
The women's hockey gold medal game is 40 minutes from starting as both teams take the ice to start their warmups inside this arena.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
UConn went more than four minutes in the second without hitting a shot in the halfcourt, starting 0-for-7 from the field.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t sure yet how many starting position players might be in the lineup this weekend, though Seiya Suzuki is expected to play center field in the Cactus League before leaving for Tokyo on Monday to help prepare him to play that position for Team Japan.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
The cookies will be available in retailers starting March 2, for a limited time.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
If the states don’t reach a deal, federal officials could sharply cut Arizona’s water starting next year, and at that point, a lawsuit is likely, Buschatzke said.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starting
Adjective
-
Dugger served as a backup through the beginning portion of the season before being dealt to the Steelers at the NFL trade deadline.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
New York’s own ban, which went into effect during the current school year, has been widely praised by educators during its beginning months.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Howie will also need a family that understands his physical restrictions including keeping him at a lean weight, no strenuous activity, running up and down stairs or jumping up and down to limit further damage to his joints.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Saros also made several more big stops before MacKinnon tucked the puck in short side with Macklin Celebrini setting a screen by jumping.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Not to take anything away from her legendary performance as an award-winning athlete, but these style choices are meaningful in their own right, establishing her as the latest Gen Z addition to a long line of athletes who refuse to sacrifice personal style on the world's stage.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Bills still alive Local governments would be banned from establishing their own forms of identification under this House bill.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your attitude in activating the protocol is an example of courage and dignity.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For Theory’s fall collection, the designer is activating the old New York nostalgia that solidified the ’90s.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Don Lemon was arrested for covering anti-ICE protests inside a Minnesota church and is now commencing the best press tour of his life.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In his late 20s at the time, Murdoch was commencing a staggering hot streak that would last roughly a decade.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Around the side, the former casino facade is now the front of Joe Leaphorn’s workplace, the Kayenta tribal police station, complete with protruding wood beams.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Team Fluff's Twilight Barkle, a special needs dog with a protruding forehead from Hearts & Bones Rescue in Dallas, scored the game's final touchdown.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Eight years after launching her eponymous cosmetics brand Westman Atelier, the makeup artist feels more self-assured than ever.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Rodney Harrison, former NYPD chief of department under ex-Mayor de Blasio, has been involved in conversations with the Mamdani administration on launching the effort, a source familiar with the situation told the Daily News.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Public pressure became even stronger after the initial wave of Ukrainian liberations of towns around Kyiv revealed Russian atrocities – including mass killings of civilians.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starting. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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