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start 1 of 4

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2
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as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

start

2 of 4

noun (1)

starts

3 of 4

verb (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

2
3
4
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starts

4 of 4

noun (2)

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 start
Verb
Disney’s earnings won’t reflect any financial hit from the carriage fight, which started after the late-September end to the quarter, but execs are likely to offer comments on the situation. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025 If not, Simmons will start Joe Pesansky, who started his first FBS game last week and led FIU to a 56-30 win over Middle Tennessee State. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
Matsuda got his start as a Story Artist for Disney Animation, working on modern classics including Zootopia and Big Hero 6. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025 The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and their strong start may motivate the front office to become more aggressive ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Noun
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 See All Example Sentences for start

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Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

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