starts 1 of 2

verb

Definition of startsnext
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

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2
as in founds
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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3
as in activates
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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4
as in begins
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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5
as in protrudes
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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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

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starts

2 of 2

noun

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

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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 starts
Verb
Behavior Shapes Culture—From the Top Down Creating a culture of courage starts with behavior. — Bymargie Warrell, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 The Pink Qatari Clay Heritage Ritual is an indulgent 90 minutes, and starts with a body exfoliation with a scrub made from aromatic resins, Epsom salts and frankincense. — Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starts
  1. jumps
  2. activates
  3. begins
  4. establishes
  5. pokes
  6. opens
  7. initiates
  8. sparks
Verb
  • Though about a quarter of DNA exonerations involve a false confession, that percentage jumps to more than 34% for those who were under 18 when wrongfully convicted, and 69% for those with mental disabilities, according a 2022 analysis by the National Registry of Exonerations.
    — Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Speaking of the holiday that is just around the corner, recently released Bing Crosby compilation Ultimate Christmas jumps from Number Eight to Six with 65,000 units.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
Definition of jumps
Verb
  • The brain’s default mode network (DMN), responsible for creativity and processing complex ideas, activates during moments of rest.
    — Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Instead, a change in their finances activates the tax.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of activates
Verb
  • The clip begins with each of the sisters sharing whether this was their first or second time watching the movie.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Following a disappointing season, 24 players will become free agents when free agency begins next March.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of begins
Verb
  • Society establishes a tax that if AI does the right thing, it is taxed lightly.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Moore signed the order, which establishes multiple initiatives seeking to make the state more friendly to business development, at a Friday ceremony in downtown Frederick, against the backdrop of an ongoing hotel and conference center project.
    — Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of establishes
Verb
  • The post had been liked more than 30,000 times, and Ted has since appeared in by his owner that pokes fun at the candid video becoming an unexpected viral sensation.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of pokes
Verb
  • Mickey 17 now opens March 7, 2025, while Sinners bows on April 18, 2025.
    — Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The new series of the British crime drama opens with a disturbing mystery, when the death of an elderly woman found in a cave has the team asking what drives a person to murder someone so vulnerable.
    — Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of opens
Verb
  • Bank of America initiates Box as buy The cloud company has an attractive outlook.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The goal is to comply with the climate initiates of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty signed in 2015 to prevent climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
    — Jon McGowan, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of initiates
Verb
  • Take the quiz here … BAGGAGE BATTLES – Traveler's social media post on 'overhead bin ownership' sparks debate.
    — Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
  • High-value content educates customers, sparks meaningful conversations and builds community.
    — Nitin Gupta, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Definition of sparks

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“Starts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starts. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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