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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

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start

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noun

starting

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adjective

starting

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verb (2)

present participle of start
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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
Before people started fretting about what’s film and what’s TV, Lynch had already shattered and discarded those labels. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 Trade always had its place, but before Trump started hammering away at the issue, the decades-long debate over imports and tariffs was really argued within predetermined bounds. Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
So far, People’s March events for the Chicago area seem to be getting off to a chaotic start. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 After a rocky start to 2025, Wall Street is regaining its swing. Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
Perhaps Finch is leaning on a couple of recent games against high-caliber competition for optimism about his starting five. Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 Pickett is active but not starting, meaning Tanner McKee gets an opportunity to make his first NFL start. Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for start 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
Noun
  • Popular on Variety At the beginning, these demonstrations are at the margins of the film — more like background noise than an integral part of the plot.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
  • And high temperatures at the beginning of recent school years have closed school buildings across the country due to inability to handle the heat.
    Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The initial hope was for some kind of theatrical play.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The initial response was enough for Hefford to jokingly suggest that perhaps the PWHL should consider expanding on its expansion plans.
    John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • On Thursday, Trinity Gas Storage announced commencement of operations at its 24 bcf (billion cubic feet) storage unit located near Carthage in East Texas, about 160 miles southeast of Dallas.
    David Blackmon, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In theory, TikTok could announce the commencement of negotiations with a potential buyer and urge President Joe Biden to grant the 90-day extension before the ban takes effect, experts said.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But opinions on this issue have actually remained pretty consistently in favor of the Paris agreement since its inception: 62 percent of Americans were opposed when Trump withdrew from it for the first time back in 2017, and the same share supported Biden's decision to rejoin in 2021.
    Mary Radcliffe, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • That is the total population of Norway (as of 2021) and the total number of medals its’ athletes have won at the Winter Olympics since their inception..
    Tim Genske, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Both of their first court appearances are scheduled for Saturday morning, jail records show.
    Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Sutton was the first D.C. police officer to be convicted of murder for conduct while on duty.
    Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Exposure to air pollution such as wildfire smoke can also lead to the onset of asthma in otherwise healthy people, Lamb said.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Chronic stress disproportionately impacts Black women and is a major contributor to the onset of serious health conditions.
    Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Here’s to the week ahead, and don’t hesitate to reach out with comments, questions, feedback, joy, or news of a rocket launch in your future.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The meme coin’s developers have limited the supply of $TRUMP to 200 million coins at launch before expanding the overall supply to 1 billion over the next three years, according to the coin’s website.
    Ty Roush, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near start

Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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