start 1 of 4

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as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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start

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noun

starting

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adjective

starting

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verb (2)

present participle of start
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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
Then, about 30 minutes after launch, Ship started to tumble, which was the result of a leak in Ship's fuel-tank systems, according to Huot. Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 May 2025 Born with Sickle Cell Disease, Woolford started a non-profit, Sickle Cell Reproductive Education Directive, that advocates for patients like herself. Katia Riddle, NPR, 28 May 2025
Noun
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch cited the importance of a strong start prior to the game. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025 Meanwhile, Bellinger, who won an MVP Award with the Dodgers in 2019, has found his footing after a rocky start, hitting .318 with five homers and 16 RBI this month. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Verb
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five. Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start. Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Noun
  • The spindly youngster is at the beginning of a journey that will successively turn him into one of the most promising, one of the most unfortunate, one of the most maddening and ultimately one of the most celebrated football players in the world.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • May 29, 2025 The LPGA Tour put in place a new pace of play policy at the beginning of the current season, which seeks to reduce playing times.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The swimmer, later identified as Sean Barton, a visitor from New Mexico, received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2025
  • The Three Components: Decoding The P’s Financial plans can often follow a standard, cookie-cutter approach if advisors do not delve deeply enough during the initial discovery process or in ongoing discussions.
    Monish Verma, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump's speech politicizes military commencement The anecdote came during the commencement address, in which Trump touted his administration's isolationist stances and the ending of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
    James Powel, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • At least 12 people were injured after a tree fell on bystanders during a commencement ceremony at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, on Friday.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Since its inception, 189 designers have received mentoring and a total of more than $7.7 million in support.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
  • Mulaney, a longtime fan who had listened to the podcast since its inception, repeatedly congratulated Maron on making the choice to go out on his own terms.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Christian Walker dressed, dwelled and debriefed there for the first 49 games of his Astros tenure.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025
  • Neither was the British version of The Office, which launched in 2001, though that was among the first television series to run with it.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • There are people in the government who have made their intentions very clear at the onset, and those intentions were emptying Gaza of its inhabitants, expelling them, and returning the Jewish settlements there.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
  • This alteration might trigger the onset of migraine or worsen migraine attacks, as well as causing more severe or frequent migraines.
    Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • SpaceX's broadband internet constellation grew again today (May 31), with the launch of 27 satellites into Earth orbit.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 31 May 2025
  • As a result, the surface of the land and sea is an open book that anyone with an internet connection can read to the point where the embarrassing launch failure of a North Korean frigate is instantly world news instead of a vague rumor.
    David Szondy May 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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