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

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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

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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
On Election Day, as the results started coming in, Rashid Johnson opened a show of new work at Hauser & Wirth’s Wooster Street gallery, which has recently become my favorite of the mega-gallery’s dozen or so global outposts. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026 The relevant question stops being how many physicians a campaign reached, and starts being how quickly a brand moved once a physician showed real signs of forming a decision. — Kamya Elawadhi, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
All that makes Houston’s sluggish start almost quaint by comparison. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 In his first career playoff start, Zolak finished 4-for-5 passing with 53 yards and a touchdown. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
But the starting assumption of these debates is that responsible business conduct legislation is inherently costly, and that weakening EU legislation and prohibiting more ambitious member state laws will reduce those costs. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Antonacci stood out as the team’s sparkplug, but was not in the starting lineup for two of the ALDS games. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Honor is jumping headfirst into advanced cinema tech, starting with the funky Robot Phone, which launched earlier this year. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026 Gonsolin, 32, will compete for a spot in the Royals’ starting rotation next season. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 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
  • Worth Girvan and Gaspar were virtually tied on election night Tuesday, but on Thursday Worth Girvan began pulling ahead as more mail-in ballots were counted.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The company announced that limited production is scheduled to begin in 2027.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Totality on Pico Trigaza will commence 51 minutes before sunset, with the sun just 8 degrees above the horizon.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Construction is expected to commence after the demolition of the low-rise medical office building on the site.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • This could help establish a circular supply chain in which discarded electronic components become feedstock for new industrial applications.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At the news conference, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said investigators at his office gathered video evidence, interviewed witnesses and worked closely with prosecutors to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • The button can also be set to mute calls or use alternate recording modes like slow motion and hyperlapse, which otherwise need to be activated with voice commands.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • That means having specific shades and specific products according to consumer needs across regions, as well as how the Sephora Collection brands are activated.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Cynics will say that Ronaldo jumped before he was pushed – posing the possibility that the veteran star wasn’t going to be named to the upcoming roster.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The shooting prompted national media coverage, with news outlets in Georgia describing Brayden as an outgoing child and a fan of Spider-Man who loved playing as the superhero by pretending to shoot webs and jump around.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Wire-thin cables protruding from the implant exit Pancho’s skull through the coin-sized opening.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Little’s victory could be the beginning of another Republican sweep.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In fact, Taylor’s playing at the beginning of the first set almost feels like a more angular take on early-’60s Money Jungle-era Ellington.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Even though the modern orchestra originated three centuries ago as a plaything of princes, there has always been an implicit connection — and tension — between orchestras and democracy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Photographs of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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