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
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Shannon moved into the starting lineup for the Wolves, who used only eight players.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Second-year guard Saniya Rivers, who mostly played the two or three last season, ran point in the starting lineup with Leger-Walker and second-year guard Migna Toure coming in as her backups, and the lack of experience in the team’s ball-handlers was apparent in their turnover woes.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Spencer Jones replaced him in the starting lineup for Game 5, amassing 20 points, three rebounds and three blocks in a home win.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
After beginning the 2025-26 campaign as a reserve behind rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, a left elbow sprain sidelined Kalkbrenner and Diabaté was thrust into the starting lineup alongside Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Nussmeier earned the starting role for LSU as a redshirt junior for the 2024 season.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
After injuries took their toll on Miami’s offensive line, the staff inserted Cooper into the starting lineup at right guard.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The controversy behind the starting lineup picked up after the Knicks fell into a 1-2 hole following Thursday’s Game 3 loss.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Törnberg identified three new kinds of emerging online media platforms, starting with private or semi-private group chats like WhatsApp.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
First, add stretches to your daily routine starting at least a week before your season launches.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
Trocchia and Melotti said the performance in this area was mainly impacted by weaker trends in the Middle East, as a consequence of the war starting from March.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
After graduating from Harvard, Gunty landed jobs with The Blackstone Group, a New York investment bank and other private equity firms before starting his own in 2002.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Select vote centers across the county will be open daily starting May 23.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Hospital surveillance footage captured Talley pointing the gun at the room where the technician was hiding, Pekara said, before starting to make his way out of the building.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
As for Rani's big brothers, Kate told Jennifer that the duo is thinking about starting a family band.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The 27-year-old guard returned to the starting lineup for Game 6, with Luke Kennard – who failed to make a shot on Wednesday – resuming a reserve role.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Shannon moved into the starting lineup for the Wolves, who used only eight players.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Second-year guard Saniya Rivers, who mostly played the two or three last season, ran point in the starting lineup with Leger-Walker and second-year guard Migna Toure coming in as her backups, and the lack of experience in the team’s ball-handlers was apparent in their turnover woes.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Spencer Jones replaced him in the starting lineup for Game 5, amassing 20 points, three rebounds and three blocks in a home win.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
After beginning the 2025-26 campaign as a reserve behind rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, a left elbow sprain sidelined Kalkbrenner and Diabaté was thrust into the starting lineup alongside Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Nussmeier earned the starting role for LSU as a redshirt junior for the 2024 season.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
After injuries took their toll on Miami’s offensive line, the staff inserted Cooper into the starting lineup at right guard.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The controversy behind the starting lineup picked up after the Knicks fell into a 1-2 hole following Thursday’s Game 3 loss.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Still, Bores told me that lines were starting to blur.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Törnberg identified three new kinds of emerging online media platforms, starting with private or semi-private group chats like WhatsApp.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
First, add stretches to your daily routine starting at least a week before your season launches.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
Trocchia and Melotti said the performance in this area was mainly impacted by weaker trends in the Middle East, as a consequence of the war starting from March.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
After graduating from Harvard, Gunty landed jobs with The Blackstone Group, a New York investment bank and other private equity firms before starting his own in 2002.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Select vote centers across the county will be open daily starting May 23.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Hospital surveillance footage captured Talley pointing the gun at the room where the technician was hiding, Pekara said, before starting to make his way out of the building.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
As for Rani's big brothers, Kate told Jennifer that the duo is thinking about starting a family band.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starting
Adjective
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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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The riverside town is also a jumping off point for the Appalachian Trail and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, also mentioned above.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
-
Commuters across Georgia are feeling the squeeze this week as gasoline prices saw a dramatic spike, jumping nearly 30 cents per gallon in the last week.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
His first year has been one of adjustment, centered on establishing himself in the role and turning his American roots into assets, along with his time in Latin America.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Even so, the coincidence feels like an anointing, long overdue for someone who has spent decades in just about every beloved franchise, quietly establishing himself as the most important—or at least prolific—person in genre entertainment.—
James Grebey,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Coach Natalie Nakase said this week that activating the Australian point guard will be a game-time decision.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
-
The princess has done an amazing job at activating people's minds about the value and importance of this.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this year, the company announced a publishing administration partnership with 16-time Grammy Award-winner — and Variety’s Hitmakers 2025 songwriter of the year — Bruno Mars, commencing upon the completion of his current deal with BMG/Warner Chappell.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But soon after pouring millions into upgrading the hydro facility, the company shuttered its Cheboygan operation in 1990, eliminating 300 jobs and commencing the slow decline of the historic mill.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to court documents cited by Cleveland television station WJW, witnesses told investigators that Bryant was seen walking toward the Costco entrance with what appeared to be a drum magazine protruding from his pocket.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Hemorrhoids are common and treatable, but bleeding, severe pain, lingering symptoms, or protruding hemorrhoids should be checked by a doctor.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Since launching in 2022, Artists Equity has produced The Accountant 2, The Instigators, Small Things Like These, Unstoppable and its hit debut Air.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
The AirPods have been a hit for Apple since first launching in 2016.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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An initial round of peace talks was held in the capital of Islamabad last month.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The bill also retains its enforcement division capable of making arrests, despite initial DFL reservations.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starting. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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