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
Hyundai Metaplant behind-scenes-tour as the plant prepares to start a second shift and a second production line. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 Trailing 9-5, Zack Gelof singled off Pete Fairbanks to start the ninth and Butler followed with a double. — Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Noun
Honeywell Aerospace business is off to a strong start thanks to a big move over the past three sessions. — Jeff Marks,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 July 2026 In his only other start against the Royals, in 2023, Sanchez surrendered six earned runs in five innings. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
Adjective
Guerrero will be replaced in the starting lineup by the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz and Judge by Yankees teammate Cody Bellinger. — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Jónsdóttir returned to the starting lineup after missing the last four games because of a foot injury. — Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Verb
In the last 20 minutes before kick, droves of fans have made their way into the stadium and the energy is starting to pick up. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 Keep scrolling for bell tents, yurts, and more, starting at $190. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 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
  • The foursome began a two-year, multi-million-dollar journey that preserved the building’s original craftsmanship while modernizing the design, plumbing, and electrical.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Crews from multiple local and state agencies began an extensive search, and his body was recovered early Monday, family members confirmed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Just before the trial was set to commence in May, Lively dropped her lawsuit and settled with Baldoni and Wayfarer.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • Jockeying has already commenced in the state for the person who might take up the mantle of Senate Democratic nominee, including among those who didn't secure the gubernatorial nomination.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Lawyers on both sides have urged the high court to establish a clear right to a verbatim record in civil hearings.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Last December, the city of Miami approved an ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Damian Pardo establishing an overnight anchoring limitation area within portions of Biscayne Bay.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Court records detail police chase A police pursuit ensued, with the deputy’s lights and sirens activated.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
  • Our compassionate demeanor is activated, offering us the chance to understand ourselves and others on a soulful level.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • How to choose vibration plates and get started Don’t jump into anything new all at once, but gradually.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The driver hits Leatherface in the head with a wrench, incapacitating him long enough for the driver to run away and Sally to jump into the cab of a passing pickup truck.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • The abdomen may significantly protrude, pushing the diaphragm upward and making breathing more difficult.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Rugged slabs of rock speckled with glaciers and snowfields protrude through the clouds and overlook the entry to Grand Teton National Park.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • More than 73,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilian and militant deaths, including more than 1,000 killed since the beginning of the latest ceasefire.
    — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Johnson Products Company — which would later go on to manufacture Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm and men’s cologne line Black Tie — was made from humble beginnings, grit and a revolutionary product idea.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • The construction company has denied responsibility, saying the landslide originated far above the work site, the news agency said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • As the actor who originated the role, Johnson fares a bit better as Maui, smirking and preening and repeatedly tossing Moana off her own boat in attempts to commandeer it for himself.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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