1
as in jumped
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise)
I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in founded
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 triggered
to cause to function
trying to start the car on a frigid morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in began
to come into existence
the fight started when one child tripped the other
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruded
to extend outward beyond a usual point
frightened horses with starting eyes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in commenced
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of started
Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
—
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Then the Spurs started the third quarter half on a 13-0 run and erased that lead before the end of the quarter.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.
—Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 27 Apr. 2026
My issue is that over the years, my massage therapist has started talking to me more and more during the massage session and occasionally talks to me the entire session.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Power-play push The Lightning started the game 0 for 3 on the power play, running their woeful man-advantage run to 1 for 35 over the past 12 games.
—Eduardo Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Last year’s sunnier marathon day, similarly started with temperatures in the mid-40s in the morning but peaked around the high 50s.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
In the sixteenth century, people started to sour on his work.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The son of the Florida State great by the same name who had a 10-year NFL career, Junior started his college career at Georgia, transferred to FSU after two seasons and then ended up with the Sooners.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Then the Spurs started the third quarter half on a 13-0 run and erased that lead before the end of the quarter.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.
—Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 27 Apr. 2026
My issue is that over the years, my massage therapist has started talking to me more and more during the massage session and occasionally talks to me the entire session.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Power-play push The Lightning started the game 0 for 3 on the power play, running their woeful man-advantage run to 1 for 35 over the past 12 games.
—Eduardo Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Last year’s sunnier marathon day, similarly started with temperatures in the mid-40s in the morning but peaked around the high 50s.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
In the sixteenth century, people started to sour on his work.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The son of the Florida State great by the same name who had a 10-year NFL career, Junior started his college career at Georgia, transferred to FSU after two seasons and then ended up with the Sooners.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for started
Verb
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Orlando’s defense caused problems early for Detroit when the Magic forced seven turnovers in the opening four minutes and jumped out to a 19-7 lead.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Marist, which has scant returning experience from last year’s national powerhouse, jumped out to leads of 5-0 and 16-5 in the ninth game of the day against Glenbard West.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Marketecture was founded in 2022 and is based in New York.—
William Earl,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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The story of the site, which was subsequently bought by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp in 2005, is told in MySpace, a documentary directed by Tommy Avallone and produced by Gunpowder & Sky, the company founded by former MTV boss Van Toffler.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Safonov, who began his football career in Krasnodar’s academy aged 12, is not your typical footballer.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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China’s metals industry began this year with its biggest profits in at least a decade as soaring prices for aluminum and copper handed the sector a major boost.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
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Or if a finger was so sliced open that the bone protruded.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her teammates intercepted her and commenced a celebration that finally elicited a Nelson smile.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Canadian Radio-television Commission was established in 1968 as a federal agency to oversee broadcasting in Canada and in 1976 had its powers expanded to include telecommunications (and the name changed accordingly to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission [CRTC]).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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OpenAI, now valued at nearly $1 trillion following the success of ChatGPT, was established in 2015 as a charity dedicated to benefiting humanity.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Psychological and emotional wounds from early life can be activated anytime − whether while walking through Target, or just before hopping on the phone with a reporter.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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However, the report said the chief did identify himself and had lights activated on his unmarked police car.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Started.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/started. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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