starts 1 of 2

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

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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
Add in Daniels’ injuries, and the Commanders are likely on the outside looking in when the postseason starts. Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 Los Angeles' bullpen is the team's biggest weakness, and Snell is helping to cover it up by giving the Dodgers longer starts. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 Retail pricing starts at $1,499, with wholesale options starting at $799 for team and institutional orders. Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025 But as March inches toward April, Arizona starts to feel a little bit brittle. Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Pricing for the off-road caravan starts at $60,900. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025 The 2025 Toyota Tacoma starts at $31,590 and is the brand's current smallest truck for the American market. Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 After watching it, Springsteen starts writing what will become the title song, about Starkweather. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025 When the situation starts to look futile, the politicians begin fleeing the airport like rats on a sinking ship, not wanting to be the one left holding the bag. Kayti Burt, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Lozano has had an up-and-down season, limited to 22 starts (out of 34 MLS games) by nagging hamstring injuries, logging nine goals and 10 assists but growing visibly frustrated on the field with incessant fouling by opponents and tactical congestion. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025 In his first three postseason starts, Snell has allowed just two runs on six hits over 21 innings. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 With Daniels sidelined earlier this season, Mariota went 1-1 in two starts, going 31-of-48 for 363 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 In three postseason starts, Snell has raised his game to another level. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Future Mavs superstars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić had similarly slow starts to their career, with the pair scoring only 12 points combined in their debuts. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025 George Kirby Another young starter, this time for Seattle, pitched to the tale of two starts. Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet made a total of 234 starts for the Celtics last season. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025 His production, measured by EPA per start on pass plays and QB rushes, ranks second among 33 qualifying quarterbacks (minimum three starts) this season, per TruMedia. Mike Sando, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts
Verb
  • For students whose schools use AI extensively, the rate of students who have had a romantic relationship with AI jumps to 32%.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In the third and fourth quarters, that jumps to more than 72 percent of the time.
    J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).
    Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Orionid meteor shower peak begins tonight, welcoming a spectacular natural light show that could see a flurry of shooting stars spawned by Halley's Comet brighten the dark, moonless sky.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Both were called up to the national team for the upcoming window, which begins next week.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Baleen is a specialized type of bone that protrudes from the jaws like teeth and is used to filter small critters from the ocean water to feed.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Here, for now, are three pressing questions as the offseason commences.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • After 2029 the moon will pass south of the Pleiades until the next series commences in 2042.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Not only did his son create the groundbreaking and award-winning theater production, but the musical also shares a special connection to the beginnings of his relationship with his wife, Luz Towns-Miranda.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The ensuing years in Indianapolis, Washington, Los Angeles and Kansas City provided him time to view his professional beginnings through a different lens.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile the Magisterium has come under the control of one Marcel Delamare, an ideologue who establishes a quasi-fascist regime in Britain.
    Lev Grossman, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The faculty group said the question was specifically meant to address the controversial antisemitism bill — AB 715 — Newsom signed earlier this month, which establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and a statewide Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator in an effort to rein in antisemitism in schools.
    Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • What triggers a government shutdown?
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Coffee can briefly raise blood sugar since caffeine triggers stress hormones that release glucose into the bloodstream.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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