start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to begin
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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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

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3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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4
as in to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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5
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

start

2 of 4

noun

as in beginning
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starting

3 of 4

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of start
1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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
Thrust into the starting lineup due to Iliana Rupert’s pregnancy announcement, Stokes has started every game at center this season and is in the conversation for the WNBA all-defensive team. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 Now, authorities say a man is responsible for starting one of those fires — and has admitted to igniting multiple previous blazes in the same area dating back to last year, according to prosecutors. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
The film is now in pre-production ahead of an October start, with the supporting cast, technical crew and release date to be revealed imminently. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 These three moves won't make your organization AI-ready on their own, but are a solid start. — Matt Ashburn, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Catcher Dalton Rushing was scratched from the starting lineup with minor right arm irritation and was replaced by Eliezer Alfonzo. — Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2026 No Alijah Vera-Tucker slid Ben Brown into the starting lineup at left guard for team drills. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Sale appeared to have a slight hitch in his leg before starting his motion when he was called for his third career balk. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 Keep scrolling to shop more popular platform sandal styles starting at $19. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
  1. begin
  2. commence
  3. establish
  4. activate
  5. jump
  6. protrude
  7. beginning
  8. originate
Verb
  • That trial is scheduled to begin next month, but could be pushed back or canceled altogether depending on what the judge decides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Episodes of the Premier League Years, the Sky Sports show that boils down each season into two hours and is arguably the UK’s greatest cultural achievement, often begin with a montage of that season’s new arrivals.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • The project commenced with a simple analog instrument panel clock.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • After a study to map its sprawling network of rooms commenced in 2022, a nuclear bunker in northern Italy will transform into a Cold War museum scheduled to open in part next year.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • The company has partnered with a fund manager licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to establish the Silver Media Fund, an institutional-grade media investment vehicle focused on developing and financing scalable IP.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • VinSpace is part of Vietnam’s Vingroup conglomerate and was established in November 2025.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Compliant Technologies says the devices function as a normal pair of patrol gloves until officers press a switch to activate their electrical mode.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The attacker on the other side of the keyboard would likely be able to activate the mechanisms in the credential management app to log in to a site or download all the passwords.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • While only a modest change, July marks the first time in 15 months that egg prices jumped month-over-month.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Navy Times and Stars and Stripes reported several instances of crew members on the vessel attempting to jump overboard.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • The visual form demands a stark contrast between the protruding belly and the slimness of the rest of a woman’s body.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tap the Cleaning Path Preferences tab to choose between Full Coverage Mode, which provides the most thorough cleaning coverage for square and rectangular pools, and Edge Guard Mode, designed for pools with protruding edges (coping).
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Unlike 12 years ago, predation isn’t centred on a minority; 11 different Premier League clubs have lost players to the ‘Big Six’ since the beginning of last summer.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • At the beginning of the year, some volunteers within Coppell ISD went door-to-door to recruit and keep students in public education.
    — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • In Ecuador, local criminal gangs allied with Colombian and Mexican cartels manage the routes and ship the narcotics, 80% of which originate in Colombia and the rest in Peru.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Ecuador National Police via AP In Ecuador, local criminal gangs allied with Colombian and Mexican cartels manage the routes and ship the narcotics, 80% of which originate in Colombia and the rest in Peru.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

star-spangled
start
started
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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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