1
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of
started the impressionist movement in art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beginning
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in initial
Related Words
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.
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Recent Examples of start
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
These tiny white and pink flowers are a good place to start.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The mass start was Stolz's final opportunity to make history after coming up short in the 1,500 meter competition on Thursday.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Warren McClendon replaced Havenstein in the starting lineup and played fairly well, but Havenstein returned to practice in the days before the NFC championship game last month in hopes of playing if the Rams made it to the Super Bowl.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t sure yet how many starting position players might be in the lineup this weekend, though Seiya Suzuki is expected to play center field in the Cactus League before leaving for Tokyo on Monday to help prepare him to play that position for Team Japan.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Verb
The expert also suggested starting at the back of the head.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
These tiny white and pink flowers are a good place to start.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Norway’s Johannes Dale-Skjevdal won the 15-kilometer mass start.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
The mass start was Stolz's final opportunity to make history after coming up short in the 1,500 meter competition on Thursday.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Check out the winners and losers of the night — and see the starting lineup below, too.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Warren McClendon replaced Havenstein in the starting lineup and played fairly well, but Havenstein returned to practice in the days before the NFC championship game last month in hopes of playing if the Rams made it to the Super Bowl.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
UConn went more than four minutes in the second without hitting a shot in the halfcourt, starting 0-for-7 from the field.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t sure yet how many starting position players might be in the lineup this weekend, though Seiya Suzuki is expected to play center field in the Cactus League before leaving for Tokyo on Monday to help prepare him to play that position for Team Japan.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Noun
-
In the picture, baby Elvis is wearing a battered but jaunty felt hat, the sunshine center of a family that also, at the beginning, had nothing.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The opening run of tracks is everything that critics have thrown at them from the beginning.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Public pressure became even stronger after the initial wave of Ukrainian liberations of towns around Kyiv revealed Russian atrocities – including mass killings of civilians.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Authorities in Minnesota are investigating two more fatal house fires after an initial deadly blaze last weekend.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The élite public and private universities are intentionally exclusionary, which is why seemingly every one of their commencement speakers talks about the assembled, in their caps and gowns, as the future leaders of America and the best of the best.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
-
These are the tentative dates, as the actual commencement date of Ramadan 2026 depends on the sighting of the moon.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Here's what to know about the grand re-opening.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The brand designed by Lorenzo Serafini will stage a presentation on the opening day of Milan Fashion Week at its headquarters.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to Powerball, the jackpot has been hit almost 200 times since the lottery's inception in 1992.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
-
From its inception, fascism has functioned less as a system of thought than as a system of action.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But midway through the first, Nayeli Thayer (two assists) found Cataruzolo for a shot at the right post and a 2-0 lead on the rebound after Metzler stuffed the first bid.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
During this more recent round of Epstein disclosures, Larry Summers, the former president of Harvard University and Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, was among the first business leaders to experience professional blowback.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Furthermore, since liposomal vitamin C absorbs faster, the side effects of too much vitamin C can have a quicker onset.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of winds.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This would reduce weight, lower launch costs, and free up space for scientific instruments or communication payloads.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Select retailers will also sell the game during launch week, according to a Nintendo news release.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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