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
What to know about the R2 The least expensive version of the R2 is expected to start around $45,000 and be released in the 2027. —Keith Laing, USA Today, 16 May 2026 Add a touch of Field’s style to your wardrobe with these dress pants at Amazon, and keep reading for even more options starting at $26. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Noun
The Yankees’ left-hander is lined up for his first start of the season in Milwaukee on Sunday. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026 The two-time Cy Young Award winner is set to rejoin the rotation sooner than anticipated after teammate Tyler Glasnow left a start early this week because of back trouble. —ABC News, 9 May 2026
Adjective
When Betts landed on the 10-day IL on April 5 with an oblique strain, the Dodgers elected to platoon the middle infield but anointed Alex Freeland the starting second baseman. —Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Similar to Robertson, Wright grinded out five seasons at Tennessee — but never actually graduated to a starting role in the secondary. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
Verb
May 25, with a parade starting just west of the Davie Fire Administration building, 6901 Orange Drive, then heading east on Orange Drive to Southwest 65th Way and north to the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4201 Rodeo Way. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026 Just starting your retinol journey this summer? —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 May 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. initial
Verb
  • Climbers began gathering in April at the base camp, which is at an altitude of 17,340 feet.
    — Pasang Rinzee Sherpa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • Rogers was released from federal prison in March 2024 and began serving his three-year term of supervised release.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • In an interview with People magazine published Wednesday, May 13, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reflected on authorities' progress in the high-profile search operation, which commenced in early February after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home in Arizona.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 14 May 2026
  • Directed by Robert Kun and produced by Salem Entertainment, the film is scheduled to commence principal photography in July and is targeting a worldwide release in the second quarter of 2027.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Magnolia trees need extra water to become established.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • Both times also established pool records.
    — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Tonight the Aries Moon activates ambition, and a decision about visibility or leadership may suddenly feel obvious.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • But mostly, the Sparks’ defense activated, forcing 10 Las Vegas turnovers, led by two steals apiece from Atkins and Wheeler to fuel the comeback.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • After the United States and Iran failed to agree on the peace proposal on May 10, oil prices jumped $3 a barrel.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
  • Sony — The stock jumped more than 6% after the company announced a joint venture with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to develop and manufacture image sensors.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Under the flaps of his jacket there was a small tear in his T-shirt, directly over his left nipple, which protruded like a knot of purple rope.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
  • And in turn, the 867-foot monolith protruding from the surrounding Wyoming prairie like the stump of the world’s largest tree became a big draw for tourists.
    — Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • The language of covenant, liberty, moral responsibility, human dignity, and redemption helped shape the nation’s moral imagination from the very beginning.
    — Ari Berman, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • And the most exciting part is that this is only the beginning.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Definition of beginning
Adjective
  • Last week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported hotel bookings for most host cities have tracked below initial forecasts, with particular weakness seen in Kansas City, where as many as 90% of respondents said sales were trailing a typical summer.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • The Panthers’ draft picks were given their initial jersey numbers during rookie camp.
    — Mike Kaye Updated May 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Definition of initial

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 17 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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