start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to jump
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 to establish
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 to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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

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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

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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
Chris Van Gorder, Scripps’ chief executive officer, said in a recent interview that the project, which still needs permits from the City of San Marcos, would start with the ambulatory building. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 Love, playing in just his 21st game this season with the Heat, started and scored 10 points with six rebounds. —Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Got his four innings, got his pitch count to a good place (in his last Cactus League start). —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 Monday night marked Highsmith’s first start since Feb. 7 against the Brooklyn Nets. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 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 24 Mar. 2025.

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