1
2
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
3
as in to activate
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to begin
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Verb
-
At the song's crescendo, two of the men climb up on the edge of the fountain, and at least one jumps into the water as things comes to a dramatic close.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
14 May 2025
-
There’s plenty of video on social media showing hundreds of carp jumping into boats on various rivers, including the mighty Mississippi.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Bullpen roles are being established Much was made about the Cardinals’ relief woes in April, and for good reason.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
The report also presses the Federal Communications Commission to establish performance standards and develop measurable goals and monitoring for WEA performance, and ensure mobile providers include location-aware maps by the December 2026 deadline.—
Jenny Jarvie,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Using Pineal Glad Meditation Pineal gland meditation is a breathing technique associated with activating the pineal gland, a small gland in your brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep and wakefulness.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2025
-
Burn bans are automatically activated by Florida counties whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale that measures the dryness of the soil — reaches or exceeds 500.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for Massachusetts state courts, confirmed day 15 of the trial is set to begin at 9 a.m.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
After an ear-splitting sound, the wind began to calm.—
Gwen Rockwood,
Arkansas Online,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Using metal detectors and magnetometers, the team was able to locate large bits of steel and iron protruding from the seafloor that turned out to be parts of the frame and windlass, the machine used to reel in the anchor.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
-
One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 Met Gala is Rihanna’s protruding belly.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Indeed, the pricing-in may commence prior to the earnings disclosure.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Law will star as Siegfried and Garfield will star as Roy, with production set to commence in the fall.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The inaugural Mass marked the official beginning of Leo’s pontificate.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
Coming back as a judge 20 years later is such a special full-circle moment for me and it’s meant a lot to share that journey with the people that have been there from the beginning, as well as a whole new generation of Idol fans.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, the company agreed to initiate a strategic review.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
10 May 2025
-
That allows the Sky to utilize their bigs to initiate actions at the perimeter, such as dribble handoffs that create options for guards to cut, shoot or set up a new screen.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share