1
2
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
3
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of start
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
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
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
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
-
But at the beginning of Jonathan Tropper’s Your Friends and Neighbors, he’s fired from his job and divorced from his wife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
30 May 2025
-
At the beginning of the 2022—2023 school year, Luis Hinojosa was appointed as the principal of Pitcher Elementary School, according to court documents.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Cancel For Any Reason coverage Up to 75% reimbursement for nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 20 days of your initial trip deposit.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
-
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
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
-
And since its inception, the CDF has made significant investments in cinema through a portfolio of $234 million.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
19 May 2025
-
Since its inception, NASA has selected 61 women as astronaut candidates, many of them making groundbreaking contributions to space science and exploration.—
Betsy Pudliner,
The Conversation,
19 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share