start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to begin
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to commence
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
3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

start

2 of 4

noun (1)

as in beginning
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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

starts

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of start
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

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
Starting in 1973, when Landry hired him to be his wide receivers coach, Ditka started a pathway to a level of fame players and coaches seldom achieve. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 But in recent years, the museum has resuscitated the church’s traditions, starting with Friday’s celebration of the building’s 250th anniversary. — Nancy Jiang, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
So, the plan is to have all scripts written before production starts, which is great. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 San Francisco has been buoyed by quarterback Brock Purdy, who is off to the best start of his career and has rocketed up MVP betting odds since the season began. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
The event will take place across three days for the first time and starts with the CEO Forum of the Americas event at Brickell’s EAST Miami hotel. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 The science behind Strand Serum starts with porosity — the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, according to the brand. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
So, the plan is to have all scripts written before production starts, which is great. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Thomas finished with five saves to earn his eighth shutout in 28 starts after taking the reins from mainstay Stefan Frei this season. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
  1. begin
  2. commence
  3. establish
  4. activate
  5. jump
  6. protrude
  7. beginning
  8. originate
Verb
  • The Dream this month announced that the team has struck a multiyear contract to host all home games at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, beginning next season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Tropical storm-force winds began to lash the Gulf shoreline around midday, hours before Isaias was expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay on the Alabama coast and the city of Destin in the Florida Panhandle.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The group then commenced writing lyrics for their song, alternating between singing and rapping adorably.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • But a key rationale for eligibility rules is to establish bright-line, predictable rules that should promote fair play and competition, with colleges, coaches and athletes treated similarly in similar situations.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Since establishing his label in Paris in 1937, Roger Vivier became known for experimentation with form, materials and heel shapes — a vocabulary creative director Gherardo Felloni continues to mine today.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • Choose from heat mode or cool mode depending on the season, and then activate night mode for the quietest settings and a dimmer display.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In order to promote its use, new ShipStation customers who choose to activate Ship with Walmart will be given a 20 percent discount on their annual subscription.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Barkley delivered a nasty spin move that left him slightly sideways, forcing him to jump and then leapfrog backward.
    — Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of Palantir have jumped nearly 47% over the past three months.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • In more advanced cases, tissue may protrude through the vaginal opening.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The semiaquatic predator’s eyes would have also protruded from the skull, similar to the Indian gharial, because the eye sockets were raised like a telescope, Burke added.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Novelty is also being rewarded, and that is something Abundantia has factored in from the beginning.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The cutting edge facade is just the beginning of the sophisticated design of the hotel, both inside and out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Personal loans are available through our affiliate, Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS#227977) and are originated by Cross River Bank, Delaware Branch, an equal housing lender.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Wimmer says Schlingheider has evaded his questions about where the image originated.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

star-spangled
start
started
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All