start 1 of 4

1
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

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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
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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
Alfred Collins spent his first four years at Texas in the shadows, starting all of 12 games as the Longhorns kept rotating in older studs on their defensive line. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 May 2025 All of those accomplishments, however, paled in personal significance to what the Dodgers’ starting catcher did. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
Kuhns allowed 5 runs (4 earned), 3 hits and 3 walks, and struck out 3 during his 2-inning start for the Vols. Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025 While the official start of hurricane season is June 1st, storms can occasionally develop in May. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
An ‘endangered’ town starts planning With federal recognition proving elusive, a Brooklyn school grant writer named Kay Diamond suggested that Rogers and others look to Landmarks Illinois for help. Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2025 When things take a shadow turn, Gromit starts to question the true nature of the experiment. Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Jan. 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 23 May. 2025.

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