1
2
as in founds
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 activates
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in begins
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protrudes
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in commences
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 beginnings
the point at which something begins
knew from the start of the game that he would win easily
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 starts
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
The magnifying glass is on every team, who starts to fold now that the stakes are higher?
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
General admission for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors starts at $16.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the process almost always starts these days with a 3D scan of an actor’s face and full mold, altering certain parts of a person’s face can create more dramatic changes than others.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
But Sarah remains resolute, Bert tamps down his desire to make a quick buck — for a while, at least — and the situation starts to draw national attention, thanks to the involvement of a white civil rights attorney and a Black reporter from up north.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The conservator, Christopher Ruszkowski, starts this job immediately with a wide range of responsibilities and powers specified by state law and Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Pricing for the Longbow Speedster starts at £84,995 (~US$111,540) with production limited to 150 units.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
As water fluoridation starts to roll back in some communities, experts say that protecting the option to use prescription supplements is key.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
The workout flurry comes while the Bears sit at one of their better starts (5-3) and navigate a crucial midseason stretch — one in which maintaining a steady run game will be important to protect QB Caleb Williams and an evolving offense.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.
—Chris Cardillo, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
Their hypothetical $100 starts to lose its value each day the money isn’t spent.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Beto and Thierno Barry have scored one league goal between them and neither has made a compelling case for regular starts.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
While Triantis and Fitz each played in five games, Triantis made four starts and accumulated 352 minutes, while Fitz made one start and played 151 total minutes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
In his absence, veteran free-agent addition Jaylon Moore has played capably, allowing only eight quarterback pressures over 119 pass-blocking snaps during his three starts, per Pro Football Focus.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Yamamoto has thrown complete games in each of his last two postseason starts.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The home’s spa-like wellness wing, which includes a gym, sauna, contrast therapy, and massage room, was a major selling point for a guy whose day starts only after a cold plunge, weightlifting, and cardio.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
The magnifying glass is on every team, who starts to fold now that the stakes are higher?
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
General admission for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors starts at $16.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the process almost always starts these days with a 3D scan of an actor’s face and full mold, altering certain parts of a person’s face can create more dramatic changes than others.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
But Sarah remains resolute, Bert tamps down his desire to make a quick buck — for a while, at least — and the situation starts to draw national attention, thanks to the involvement of a white civil rights attorney and a Black reporter from up north.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The conservator, Christopher Ruszkowski, starts this job immediately with a wide range of responsibilities and powers specified by state law and Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Pricing for the Longbow Speedster starts at £84,995 (~US$111,540) with production limited to 150 units.
—New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
As water fluoridation starts to roll back in some communities, experts say that protecting the option to use prescription supplements is key.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
The cash payments have also led to higher birth weights and longer breastfeeding periods for babies, the Bridge Project says, both of which signal healthier starts to a child's life.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
The workout flurry comes while the Bears sit at one of their better starts (5-3) and navigate a crucial midseason stretch — one in which maintaining a steady run game will be important to protect QB Caleb Williams and an evolving offense.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.
—Chris Cardillo, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
Their hypothetical $100 starts to lose its value each day the money isn’t spent.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Beto and Thierno Barry have scored one league goal between them and neither has made a compelling case for regular starts.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
While Triantis and Fitz each played in five games, Triantis made four starts and accumulated 352 minutes, while Fitz made one start and played 151 total minutes.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
In his absence, veteran free-agent addition Jaylon Moore has played capably, allowing only eight quarterback pressures over 119 pass-blocking snaps during his three starts, per Pro Football Focus.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Yamamoto has thrown complete games in each of his last two postseason starts.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts
Verb
-
Upon second offense, the fine jumps to $17,389.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The movie jumps forward several decades.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Research shows eye contact is key to satisfying social interactions and activates social parts of the brain.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Many remotes include a push-to-talk button that activates voice control only when pressed.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Poetry is a feeling worth getting down, a process that begins with attending and listening.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The offseason begins in earnest now that the Los Angeles Dodgers defended their title by beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Saturday night’s epic Game 7.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 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
-
Just last week, the Facchino Family began demolishing structures at its 13-acre property at 1655 Berryessa Road before construction commences on a new mixed-income neighborhood near the BART Station.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Here, for now, are three pressing questions as the offseason commences.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Esther isn’t using their beginnings as a weapon, but as a lesson.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
During the interview, the singer discussed success and her career beginnings and shared that her dream was to become a movie director.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Another provision establishes an access ban for minors.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The endowment establishes the Kevin Feige Division of Film & Television Production and will be a source of funding for faculty, students with additional programmatic support.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Key Takeaways Short-term, alcohol slows brain processing, triggers the reward system, reduces stress and pain, impairs spatial thinking, and can cause memory lapses or blackouts.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Late changes after proto review or post–assortment lock (because of a market signal or someone just changed their mind) triggers rework.—
Raj Dhiman,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share