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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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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

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

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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
Each Friday, down in the happening Oistins (where all good nights start—but never end), comes the weekly Oistins Fish Fry. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 The biggest retirement shift in a generation is starting to happen and once again, nobody’s watching. — Jeanne Thompson, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Noun
After a shaky start when there were empty seats for the game between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, stadium after stadium reported full houses. — James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 The 26-year-old righty has allowed 15 homers this season, permitting at least one in 10 starts, and allowing precisely two home runs in five turns. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Adjective
His starting lineup is set, with Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez getting the nod as the starting pitcher. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 14 July 2026 Schjerlderup was the lone change Norway coach Stale Solbakken made in the starting lineup for Saturday’s match, starting the Benfica midfielder on the left flank in place of Antonio Nusa. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Verb
Colleges package financial aid in layers, starting with the federal aid a student is eligible for, then state aid on top of that, then college aid. — Jay A. Perman, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026 Getting to the median estimate of $225, starting at the July 6 price of $160, would raise SpaceX’s valuation by $1 trillion to $3 trillion between next July and year-end 2027. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 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
  • Researchers began this effort in 2025, taking cell samples from deceased golden wild yaks and transplanting clone embryos into surrogate mothers.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Two other big decisions – the faith in both Willis and Proctor – will begin to define the new era.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • And so commenced a literally explosive weekend of celebrations across the five boroughs, which culminated in a ticker-tape parade on June 18 to City Hall.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 July 2026
  • Work commenced on the record three months after Drewchin welcomed the arrival of her first child, Nova, a period in which she was consumed with the reality and potentialities of being a new parent.
    — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Boras generally prefers his clients to establish their values on the open market.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • And last year’s constitutional reforms had already established a one-party system in a country where opposition leaders no longer exist, because they have been exiled.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Once Platner dropped out on July 10, a flood of former governor candidates — including Jackson — and others jumped to try to take Platner's place.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • With both blockades fueling fears over global energy supplies, the price of international benchmark Brent crude oil jumped above the $100 a barrel threshold Thursday for the first time since May before dropping back down.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 24 July 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • While Kali’s protruding tongue is sometimes interpreted as a gesture of embarrassment or shame, the Rolling Stones’ logo reimagines it as a symbol of protest and antiestablishment sentiment.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
  • Archaeologists surveying the area in 2020 came across human bones protruding from the ground.
    — Allen Breed, Fortune, 17 July 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Asking how your home will be promoted, and whether it will be listed in the MLS from the very beginning, can help ensure your property has the strongest possible start.
    — Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • The Bundesliga had only begun in 1963, marking the true beginning of professionalism.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • The Cabin Creek Fire northeast of Alturas Lake originated from an unattended campfire sometime between July 10-11.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • The Ebola virus causing the current African epidemic may have originated in bats, which seem to carry it without getting sick.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

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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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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