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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

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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
Trailing 9-5, Zack Gelof singled off Pete Fairbanks to start the ninth and Butler followed with a double. — Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Noun
Belgium added to the lead early in the second half on a major error from goalie Matt Freese, who had given up just one goal in his first three starts. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 But a move to Memphis would still represent both a fresh start for Post, and show the Warriors’ willingness to shake up the roster. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Adjective
Jónsdóttir returned to the starting lineup after missing the last four games because of a foot injury. — Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 For the first time ever, the starting lineup mostly features players with key roles on teams in top European leagues. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 June 2026
Verb
But this is a starting XI that was rested for the final group game, a 3-0 win over Jordan. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Crunchyroll subscribers can also stream the movie, offered in both Japanese and English dubs, starting the same day. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 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
  • Friends of both Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs football star tight end began arriving mid-afternoon in a steady stream of SUVs.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Nunez said investigators planned to interview an employee who was working at the business when the blaze began.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Carlson, whose rights Anaheim traded to Carolina four days before the free agent signing period commenced, joins a defense corps that includes Victor Hedman, who is one year younger and has played five more career regular season games.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Early-stage discussions of regulation have also commenced in Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Peru, Norway, the United Kingdom and the remainder of the European Union.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 29 June 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
  • The blaze remained confined to the wrecking yard property, despite briefly jumping a fence and igniting vegetation to the west.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • His father, Brian Cohn, jumped into the pool to try to pull him out, but the suction from the drain was too strong.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 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 species, which originated in Africa and continues to spread throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties, can carry dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, diseases that can be life-threatening to humans.
    — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Many common surnames, such as Carpenter or Baker, originated from occupations passed down through generations, reflecting how closely people’s identities were tied to their work.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

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 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of start for Spanish Speakers

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