starts 1 of 2

Definition of startsnext
present tense third-person singular of start
1
as in jumps
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
5
6

starts

2 of 2

noun

plural of start

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 starts
Verb
If space starts to operate more like aviation, the pace of discovery could change in ways that ripple far beyond the aerospace industry. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026 The chatbot starts with questions about a final group project and drills into details based on each student’s answers. Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 But the cargo container only begins to move once a human worker starts the conveyor belt to move the container toward the aircraft. ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026 The conflict starts when Jason realizes the horse drank the last beer during their travels, sending him on a hunt for another cold one. Ryan Brennan april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 By mid-April, the foliage starts to emerge. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026 Early voting starts May 18 and runs through May 22. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026 On April 15, Governor Ron DeSantis called for a legislative special session, which starts today and runs through Friday. Kerry Sheridan, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026 Add reserved sauce and cook, stirring often, until sauce starts to cling to chicken and green beans, 1–2 minutes. Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
And while Matz and Nick Martinez have been two of the best free-agent acquisitions of the year (the Rays are 13-2 in their starts), there are some worrisome signs. John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026 Your glow-up starts now, so act like a boss! Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 The total amount of starts with the group is 53 games. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026 Herman appeared in 49 career games with two starts at linebacker for the Aztecs. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026 Freese has 22 shutouts in 100 career starts. Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 11 May 2026 Rasmussen has made four road starts, and his ERA is almost two runs higher as a visitor than as a home pitcher. David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026 Martín Pérez has been invaluable in his five starts, and in his willingness to take the ball whenever while being an important asset in the clubhouse. Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 11 May 2026 Out of the quarterbacks who were selected in this year’s draft, only Carson Beck, who the Cardinals chose in the third round, had more starts [43] at the collegiate level. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts
Verb
  • That number jumps to 81 percent for Latina Gen Z-ers and 83 percent for Latina Millennials.
    Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
  • The Neo starts at $599 for 256GB of storage and jumps to $699 for a 512GB model with a Touch ID scanner.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.
    Fabiola Sanchez, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments, at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.
    Garrett Haake, NBC news, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Moon in Sagittarius activates your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging direct expression and clearer exchanges.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
  • This activates systems in your body that control your stress levels and your hormones.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • What begins as self-expression could become real opportunity.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • Now, the Clippers’ work begins with the clarity of a valuable short-term asset rather than a long-term asset.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.
    Adam Williams March 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There are still a couple of questions to be answered though even as construction commences on the 67,500-capacity facility, which will be next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Cleveland.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • Falling back to the pack and seven points shy of San Jose, which won 4-1 at BMO Stadium on Sunday, LAFC has seen its recent MLS stumbles coincide with advancing to a two-leg CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal, which commences Wednesday at BMO Stadium and ends May 6 in Toluca, Mexico.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Humble beginnings Menjívar arrived undocumented in the United States at age 18, fleeing a bloody civil war in El Salvador, stowed away in a car to avoid detection at the border.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
  • Over the last two years, the actress has reportedly picked up two neighboring properties in the area, creating what already looks like the beginnings of a private compound spread across roughly half an acre.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The county board establishes goals and priorities every year on which the superintendent is evaluated.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • The system establishes operational standards through its three main functions that develop incentives while tracking performance and ensuring projects meet actual environmental requirements.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on starts

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster