as in beginning
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 starting
Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Sophomore Trent Perry also had 18, scoring in double-digits for the fifth time in six games since entering the starting lineup for Skyy Clark (hamstring).
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Even after taking an elbow to the head late in Saturday’s win over the Jazz, Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis was back in the starting lineup 24 hours later.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Once Jarrett Stidham moved into the starting lineup for an injured Bo Nix, the Broncos lost respect.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Holding Giddey out of the starting lineup almost allowed the Bulls to retain their two-big rotation — which features centers Jalen Smith and Nikola Vučević — without sacrificing the defensive presence of Matas Buzelis and Isaac Okoro.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
That put rookie Kasparas Jakucionis in the starting lineup for the third time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Knox took advantage of his return to the starting lineup by scoring seven points in a three-minute span to help the Hogs mount a 15-4 lead.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026
After a prolonged and public contract negotiation over the summer, Kuminga began the season in the starting lineup but had fallen out of the rotation entirely as the Warriors began to play their best basketball, going 12-4 in 16 games since his last appearance, a brief stint in a loss at Phoenix.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Aamer Madhani and Susie Blann The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
And that leader was starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who carried a simple message.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Sony‘s four-movie Beatles biopic project is starting to come together.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Nissan decked out every Sentra with a slew of safety features, starting with standard intelligent cruise control.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
This could easily be about bringing a writing project into the world or starting some sort of local establishment for artists or lovers of nightlife.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Brendan McDermid | Reuters Waymo is starting to take San Francisco passengers to the airport.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Emotional cheating involves starting a relationship with someone.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Unless other moves are made, Hill and Jackson will be joined by a couple of promising recruits in competing for the starting role in 2026.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Sophomore Trent Perry also had 18, scoring in double-digits for the fifth time in six games since entering the starting lineup for Skyy Clark (hamstring).
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Jan. 2026
Even after taking an elbow to the head late in Saturday’s win over the Jazz, Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis was back in the starting lineup 24 hours later.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Once Jarrett Stidham moved into the starting lineup for an injured Bo Nix, the Broncos lost respect.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Holding Giddey out of the starting lineup almost allowed the Bulls to retain their two-big rotation — which features centers Jalen Smith and Nikola Vučević — without sacrificing the defensive presence of Matas Buzelis and Isaac Okoro.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
That put rookie Kasparas Jakucionis in the starting lineup for the third time.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Knox took advantage of his return to the starting lineup by scoring seven points in a three-minute span to help the Hogs mount a 15-4 lead.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026
After a prolonged and public contract negotiation over the summer, Kuminga began the season in the starting lineup but had fallen out of the rotation entirely as the Warriors began to play their best basketball, going 12-4 in 16 games since his last appearance, a brief stint in a loss at Phoenix.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.
—Aamer Madhani and Susie Blann The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
And that leader was starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who carried a simple message.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Sony‘s four-movie Beatles biopic project is starting to come together.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Nissan decked out every Sentra with a slew of safety features, starting with standard intelligent cruise control.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Kyiv, which has grappled with severe power shortages this winter, is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting Friday that is expected to last into next week.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
This could easily be about bringing a writing project into the world or starting some sort of local establishment for artists or lovers of nightlife.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Brendan McDermid | Reuters Waymo is starting to take San Francisco passengers to the airport.
—Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Emotional cheating involves starting a relationship with someone.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 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
-
Oil prices slipped after jumping more than 3% on Thursday due to worries about tensions between the United States and Iran, which could ultimately constrict the flow of crude.—
Matt Ott,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
While the changes have the chance to level the playing field early in the season, one team appears to be jumping ahead of the field out of the shakedown sessions.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t forget Knueppel is already the fastest player to reach 100 made career 3-pointers, establishing the impressive mark 12 games quicker than Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, who held the record until Knueppel shattered it.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Congress has repeatedly waded into establishing an overarching federal law that would encompass AI that dispenses mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The spring brings a defining moment as Mars (celestial ruler of your career sector) conjuncts Saturn in Aries (April 10), activating your third house of communication and strategy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This new model deeply celebrates the amazing artists of our region while activating our full theatre complex, and inviting audiences to engage with new stories in meaningful ways together.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Indiana and Miami begin the semester on January 12, with Ole Miss commencing January 20.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management inspected it and found a pipe protruding from a berm, leaking water where it’s not supposed to go.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
-
They’re typically installed above kitchen sinks and provide more light than standard windows, but their protruding design adds weight and insulation considerations.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, Pettit was tasked with launching a $171 million package of capital improvements for all of the district’s buildings, except the high school.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Since launching with Fast & Furious in 2001, the films have combined to gross more than $7 billion worldwide.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These two agents appear to be the two officers identified as the shooters in an initial report by the Department of Homeland Security about the incident.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During an initial court appearance Thursday, a judge granted the government's request to detain Kazmierczak pending a detention hearing Tuesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starting. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
